Lester Wilson Van Gorkom

Military

Shot down in B-17 42-31740 BK-T on 9 April 1944. Prisoner of War, Missing Air Crew Report #3653.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.

384th Bomb Group

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

People

George William Schock

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-746434
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

Personnel of the 384th Bomb Group don their flight gear before a mission to Berlin in their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 24 Mar 1944.' [stamp] and '313403.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Berlin, 22/3/44, 231740.'

42-31740

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

21 September 1915

Other

Assigned

16 August 1943 Assigned to the 384th Bomb Group, 546th Bomb Squadron on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #72 dated 16 August 1943, without crew. 22 combat missions.

Other

Prisoner of War

Germany 9 April 1944

Died

Missouri, USA 28 May 1979 Burial: Memphis Cemetery Memphis Scotland County Missouri, USA Plot: Section 8- Row 5

Revisions

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/person.php?PersonKey=4076

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/person.php?PersonKey=4076
Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=vangorkom&GSfn=le…;

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 3653 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database