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name
DICKINSON, John Liddle - Date of
birth
18 August 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Gladstone, Somerset County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Somerset County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32453614 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Gunner -
Unit
68th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
21 January 1944 - Place of
death
Neuville-Ferrieres, 4 miles south-southwest of Neufchatel
Area of Bruay, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
John L. Dickinson Sr. (father)
Elizabeth Dickinson (mother)
George Dickinson (brother)
Gordon Dickinson (brother)
Mary (Crater) Dickinson (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-7514 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: France
Mission: Bombardment
MACR: 2359
More information
T/Sgt John L. Dickinson was employed by the Walter Crater Trucking Company.He enlisted in Newark, New Jersey, on 29 July 1942. He graduated as an aviation mechanic in January 1943 and earned his wings as an aerial gunner in May 1943. He was sent overseas in October 1943.
A/C was last sighted at 4940N 0044E.
Per crewman Richard Allen : “We were attacked by about 30 fighters over France near Path Colay on 21 January 1944 and shot down. I believe we went over our target about six times, but I couldn’t be sure. The plane was all on fire from oxygen burning, and it brought me to my senses and I put my chute on and pulled myself up on the waist window. I did not see Sgt Dickinson as he was up front in the top turret."
One crew member returned to duty, 3 were made POW, 3 were KIA and 3 MIA.
T/Sgt Dickinson is remembered at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.44thbombgroup.org, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 census, www.newspapers.com - The Courier-News, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com