Larry Linn O'Sullivan was born, according to military records, in Pawn Lawn, Missouri, but claimed Farmington as his home of records. His birth date has not been established, but references would indicate he was born about 1922.

He entered the military service in 1942, and was trained as a radio operator. He was assigned to Scott Field, Illinois for approximately 2 years. He then was assigned to overseas duty with the 561st Bomb Squadron of the 388th Bomb Group operating from Knettishall, England. He became part of a combat crew and flew 32 combat missions. These missions were flown in a time period between June 3 and August 16, 1944.

On August 16, 1944, he participated in a bombing raid on synthetic oil facilities at Leitz, Germany. During the bomb run, one of the aircraft in the upper squadron dropped in altitude, striking the B-17 O'Sullivan was in, and knocking the entire tail assembly off the aircraft. The aircraft went into a tight spin and crashed near Ober-Schonea, Germany. All crew members were killed.

Their bodies were all recovered and buried in a common grave at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Tsgt O'Sullivan was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

NOTE: All records and accounts of O'Sullivan list his rank at the time of death as Technical Sergeant; however, the gravestone lists his rank as Aviation Cadet.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, airforce.togetherweserved.com