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name
AHERN, James Harrison - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Michigan -
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16042765 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
366th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 April 1943 - Place of
death
Fontaine-sous-Préaux, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert H. Ahern (father)
Florence R. (Berry) Ahern (mother)
Patrick Ahern (brother)
Shirley (Alexander) Ahern (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5253 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Paris-Billancourt, France
Mission: Bombing of the Renault Motor Works aviation industry
MACR: 15564
More information
James Ahern was a heat treater.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Detroit, Michigan on 15 December 1941.
The aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, one man evaded capture and was liberated in Paris by American troops. Two men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Rouen-Saint Sever. The remains of S/Sgt Ahern were never recovered.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial, Archives, 1930 US Census
Photo source: FOHF