Lavata Talmadge Melton
Military
Object Number - UPL 38298 - "Capt Gruman and crew (Crew 4) of the 614th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group, in front of a Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" at an 8th Air Force base in...
Assigned to 614BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 31 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12087259 / O-819965
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12025705 / O-439702
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11055603
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15132201 / O-711480
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Irene, Hill County, TX | 16 September 1916 | Son of George Sabbath and Rosia [McClesky] Melton. |
|
Enlisted |
Dallas, Texas | 18 June 1942 | Dallas, Texas |
|
Died |
Gatesville, TX | 15 December 2007 | |
|
Buried |
Salem - Irene Cemetery, Irene, Hill County, TX | 16 December 2007 | Salem - Irene Cemetery, Irene, Hill County, Texas |
|
Based |
Framlingham | Assigned to 614BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/32159913
https://www.fold3.com/image/626830113
https://www.fold3.com/record/84797947-lavata-t-melton
https://www.fold3.com/record/628383461-lavata-melton-1916
https://www.fold3.com/record/60042431-lavata-talmage-melton
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23422266/lavata-talmadge-melton
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=2408