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name
ARCHER, John Simpson Jr - Date of
birth
7 September 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-809346 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
786th Bombardment Squadron,
466th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 August 1944 - Place of
death
2 km of Zuidveen, 5 km southwest of Steenwijkerwold, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 2 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John S. Archer (father)
Mabel C. (Elwell) Archer (mother)
Robert C. Archer (brother)
June R. Archer (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-29449 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Vechta, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 8429
More information
1st Lt John S. Archer graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and attended Ohio University. He was employed at the General Electric Company.He enlisted in Cleveland, Ohio on 25 August 1942 and was sent overseas in April 1944.
The plane was attacked by enemy fighters and was shot down, together with three other planes of the formation. According to witness statements, it exploded and ten parachutes were seen. Five crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the Special Cemetery at Kerkbuurt, community of Steenwijkerwold on 19 August 1944. Only S/Sgt Edward B. Philo was identified at that time, the others were buried as unknown.
The bodies were disinterred on 7 January 1946 and transported to Margraten. The remains of Lt Archer were buried there as Unknown X-5143 on 16 January 1946. His remains were again disinterred on 16 September 1948 and identified by dental charts on 24 September 1948. He was given his final resting place on 5 March 1949.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Kathy McDermott, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Archer Family Tree, IDPF, www.fold3.com - MACR, The Plain Dealer 29 May 1945
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - TxOma, Cleveland Heights High School - 1938, The Cleveland Plain Dealer - 31 August 1944