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Personal info

Full name
MACHEN, Evan J
Date of birth
13 November 1918
Age
25
Place of birth
California
Hometown
California

Military service

Service number
O-730549
Rank
Captain
Function
Pilot
Unit
77th Fighter Squadron,
20th Fighter Group
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 April 1944
Place of death
Salzwedel, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 15 1

Immediate family

Members
Cecil E. Machen (father)
Sadie (Johnson) Machen (mother)
Robert H. Machen (brother)
Cecile D. Machen (sister)
Jane (Elliott) Machen (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-28397
Data
Type: P-38
Destination: Salzwedel, Germany
Mission: Strafing of the airfield
MACR: 6701

More information

Capt Evan J. Machen attended Washington State College and was an actor.

He joined the National Guard in Pullman, Washington, on 16 September 1940.

Capt Machen damaged or destroyed four enemy aircraft on the ground. During his fourth pass over the airfield, his left engine and wing received hits from flak and began burning. He pulled up to an altitude of 1,500 feet. Then the airplane suddenly nosed and crashed into a clump of trees.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Peter Schouteten, Terry HIrsch/http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/229