Andrew Steakin was born in 1923 in New Jersey. He resided in Passaic County, New Jersey prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on January 21, 1943 in Newark, New Jersey. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a welder and also as Single, without dependents. Andrew served as a Sergeant and Engineer / Gunner on B-25H #43-4209, 491st Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

B-25H #43-4209 took off, with a crew of 5, from Yangkai, China on a strike mission over Samah Bay, Thailand. Over Samah Bay they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and reportedly crashed into the bay. The entire crew was lost. Andrew was declared "Missing In Action" on this mission during the war. His name is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

Sgt Steakin was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is also commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov