Bio

My father Arvo Oliver Laukkonen served in the 449th Bomb Squadron which was part of the 322nd Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Received the Meritorious Unit Award, American Theatre Service Ribbons Good Conduct Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon. Inducted on 15 October 1942 and honorably discharged on 15 December 1945. Was not wounded in action. Worked as Aircraft Engineering Technician. Was in charge of a unit of 16 men repairing fighter planes, including P61 Black Widow Night Bombers with two fuselage. Also did general repair work on light trucks. He was married to Elna Peterson, lived in Minneapolis, MN and passed away 6 October 2008. His brother William John Laukkonen was captured in the Battle of the Bulge on 17 December 1944. He was taken prisoner by Germans during Battle of Bulge. But the family was told he died, until he showed up unannounced 9 months later. He was not in 449th, he was a Tec 5. I am trying to find more info about both of their time in service.