Sergeant Johnston served with the 114th Base Unit from Chatham Field, near Savannah, Georgia.
He was an aerial gunner, and one of ten airmen killed when B-24J Liberator #42-109877 crashed, ten miles northwest of the airfield.
The bomber crashed at 07:47 hours, shortly after takeoff for an intended camera gunnery practice mission that was to take the crew to Athens, Georgia, then to Spartanburg, South Carolina, then return to base. During the departure, an important mission packet was dropped on the runway, and personnel at the airfield attempted radio contact to advise the pilot to return, but no response was received. A few moments later, another B-24 departing in a climb observed the subject airplane pass underneath, with heavy smoke coming from the № 4 motor. The bomber was then observed to make a steep banking right turn, with the wing on fire, and plunge into the woods and explode. All aboard were killed.
The service members were:
2nd Lt. Sidney E Palmateer, O-825262, MI, Pilot
Flt. Off. Virgil E Cole, T-127662, ME, Navigator
2nd Lt. Lucian P Marino, O2056813, OK, Bombardier
2nd Lt. Walter R Thomsen, O-828877, CA, Co-Pilot
S/Sgt. Harold P Dansky, 37544550, MN, Asst. Engineer
S/Sgt. John M Gewak, 6890033, PA, Asst. Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Joe B Wright, 18041296, TX, Flight Engineer
Sgt. Willard C Johnston, 6667199, WV, Gunner
Cpl. Lewis Masters, 38468566, MO, Radio Operator
Cpl. Gilbert A Spading, 36778943, Gunner
~
Entered the service from West Virginia; ASN 6667199
Sergeant Johnston served with the 114th Base Unit from Chatham Field, near Savannah, Georgia.
He was an aerial gunner, and one of ten airmen killed when B-24J Liberator #42-109877 crashed, ten miles northwest of the airfield.
The bomber crashed at 07:47 hours, shortly after takeoff for an intended camera gunnery practice mission that was to take the crew to Athens, Georgia, then to Spartanburg, South Carolina, then return to base. During the departure, an important mission packet was dropped on the runway, and personnel at the airfield attempted radio contact to advise the pilot to return, but no response was received. A few moments later, another B-24 departing in a climb observed the subject airplane pass underneath, with heavy smoke coming from the № 4 motor. The bomber was then observed to make a steep banking right turn, with the wing on fire, and plunge into the woods and explode. All aboard were killed.
The service members were:
2nd Lt. Sidney E Palmateer, O-825262, MI, Pilot
Flt. Off. Virgil E Cole, T-127662, ME, Navigator
2nd Lt. Lucian P Marino, O2056813, OK, Bombardier
2nd Lt. Walter R Thomsen, O-828877, CA, Co-Pilot
S/Sgt. Harold P Dansky, 37544550, MN, Asst. Engineer
S/Sgt. John M Gewak, 6890033, PA, Asst. Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Joe B Wright, 18041296, TX, Flight Engineer
Sgt. Willard C Johnston, 6667199, WV, Gunner
Cpl. Lewis Masters, 38468566, MO, Radio Operator
Cpl. Gilbert A Spading, 36778943, Gunner
~
Entered the service from West Virginia; ASN 6667199
Inscription
SGT, 114 AAF BASE UNIT WORLD WAR II
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