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Submit- Full
name
MEYER, Leonard Henry Herman - Date of
birth
29 July 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Nuckolls County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Nuckolls County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-702313 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 May 1944 - Place of
death
Near Linsburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 42 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank F. Meyer (father)
Louise D. (Schiermeyer) Meyer (mother)
Edwin H. Meyer (brother)
Velma Meyer (sister)
Clarence W. Meyer (brother)
Everett N. Meyer (brother)
Alice M. Meyer (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40151 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: GI Joe
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing Mission
Target: Marshalling Yard, Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 5244
More information
2nd Lt Leonard H.H. Meyer graduated from Nelson High School in 1940. He attended the School of Commerce at Hastings.He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on February 27, 1943.
He was involved in a bombing raid to attack a marshalling yard at Brunswick, Germany. The 492nd Bomber Group was caught without fighter protection by the German Luftwaffe. After being severely hit by FW-190s, Pilot Pratt announced to his crew that they were going to bomb the target "come hell or high water!" But the spreading fire forced an order to abandon the airplane. Only 3 gunners made it out before the fire reached the bomb bay causing the aircraft to explode into a huge fireball.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, 492ndbombgroup.com, MACR 5244
Photo source: Stephanie Meyer, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-K, Blackland Army Air Field, Texas