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S/Sgt John L. Albers enlisted in New York City, New York, on 2 April 1943.

The mission took place on 6 October 1944.

The "B" Group, flying High Group in the 4 "B" Combat Wing, peeled off to take its position for the bomb run. A minute later, at 1207 hours, enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group to 2 aircraft. The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. No exact information of the attack is available because no aircraft of the Group returned. Estimated is that a number from 25 to 70 enemy aircraft, either Me 109s or Fw 190s attacked the Group.

S/Sgt Albers' left arm was shattered by 20 mm explosives from the enemy aircraft. He managed to bail out. On the ground, he was beaten and shot in the right arm by civilians. He was taken to a hospital near Perleberg, where his left arm was amputated the same evening. The next day, he was transported to Neurrupin Prison Hospital, but he died of loss of blood on the trip.

He was first buried at the local cemetery of Neurruppin on 16 October 1944.