Lavata Talmadge Melton

Military
media-38298.jpeg 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 England, 30 September 1944."

Rear L-R: Sgt David Harry Campbell, Unkn, 1Lt Lavata Talmadge "L.T." Melton, Capt James A Gruman, 1Lt Richard James "Andy" Andrews, Unkn, Unkn.

Front L-R: S/Sgt Harwell W Wilton, S/Sgt Richard Robert Ruhmann, S/Sgt Ernest M Snyder, T/Sgt Kenneth Martin Jacobson, Unkn, Unkn.

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

A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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

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.

Lavata Talmadge Melton: Gallery (1 items)