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Submit- Full
name
HERNDON, John Price - Date of
birth
21 November 1921 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas -
Hometown
Dallas County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18005969 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
497th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 February 1945 - Place of
death
Geilenkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| O | 21 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John P. Herndon (father)
Olivia (Galimore) Herndon (mother)
Adolphus P. Herndon (brother)
John T. Herndon (brother)
Elnora Herndon (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-34565 -
Data
Type: B-26G
Nickname: Gratis Gladys
Destination: Geilenkirchen, Germany
Mission: Attack on a railroad bridge
MACR: 12649
More information
T/Sgt John P. Herndon attended Crozier Technical High School and was a chauffeur.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Dallas, Texas on 19 August 1940.
He had been overseas since August 1944 and he was shot down on his 25th mission.
Statement from Theodore R. Peargy, a crew member of antoher B-26 in the same group:
"After bombs were dropped over target, aircraft was hit by flak. One engine appeard to be afire. Aircraft was making a bank to the right when it went into a spin. Members of my crew watched the descent of the aircraft. It appeared to be under control at an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. A short time later my radio-gunner saw a plane crash and burst into flame. My Co-Pilot saw one man leave the aircraft immediately after it went into the spin, but did not see the chute open. My radio operator also saw one ohter man leave the aircraft and saw the parachute open."
The entire crew of seven men was killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, Schuster Genealogy, www.flickr.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Troy Herndon