Allen G Ostrom

Military

Completed 35 mission tour.



Allen was tail gunner on Warren Johnson's crew of 603 Sqdn operating from September 1944 to March 1945. He kept a diary of all 35 missions, a very useful aid in later years when Allen put together the first issue of 'Flak News' when he then edited for the next 27 years. He also acted as tour leader for the Group's many postwar tours of old bases and places of interest in England and on the continent. Certainly a key figure in the keeping the memories and archive of the 398th BG alive.



Memories contained in Personal Diary; many comments on B-17s hit by flak and exploding; many comments on B-17s hit by FW190 and M/E 262 cannon fire. Only 3 of 12 returned from Merseburg on 21 Nov 44. This mission recorded in Ostrom book in 'Remembrances' . He was editor of 'Flak News' the newsletter for the 398th BG for 27 years



Air Medal w/5Oak Leaf Clusters; Amer. Defense Medal/EAME Medal w 2 battle strs/WWII Victory Medal/Good Conduct

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.

398th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Warren L Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Sweden 9 January 1921

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 398th Bomb Group related to the service of Allen Ostrom.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia