Harry L Johnston
MilitaryAssigned to 840BS, 483BG, 15AF USAAF. Jim Preston crew. Failed to Return (FTR) Nis, Yugoslavia in B-17 42-5786 'Whizzer II' 15-Apr-44. A/C hit by flak in radio room causing massive fire and disintergrtion. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 3909
Awards: PH.
Connections
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Units served with
![Seen through a 433rd Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress' strike camera, a 816th Bomb Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5786) nicknamed "Whizzer II" goes down over Nis in Yugoslavia on the 15th of April 1944 in a gout of flame after taking a direct flak hit. There were no survivors. Official caption on image: "(483BG:4M3:2VI) (4:15:1208) (24:21300) ([south-west arrow] 140 [degrees]) (Nis M/Y Yugo) (Ship 111 816 Sq)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '15/4/44. 483BG, 15AF. Nis, Yugoslavia. 42-5786](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-457805.jpg.webp?itok=YT0rrjph)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 15171188 / O-690979
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Whizzer II
- Unit: 483rd Bomb Group 840th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
2 January 1923 | ||
|
Enlisted |
21 January 1941 | ||
|
Died Killed in Action (KIA) |
15 April 1944 | Killed in Action (KIA)Niš, Yugoslavia | |
|
Buried |
1 November 1949 | Re-InterredOak Lawn Memorial GardensGalesburg, Illinois |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes