Norman McLaughlin was born on May 23, 1924 and was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He served as the Gunner on B-24 “War Bride” (42-521196)
On September 9, 1944, B-24 “War Bride” (42-52196 ) of the 755th Bomber Squadron, 458th Bomber Group flying from Leuchars, Scotland (Operation Carpetbagger) was on an “Operation Ball” mission to resupply Norwegian Resistance fighters at the Crupper 5 rendezvous point. The plane came too low and crashed right under the top of the mountain Skorve in Seljord, Norway (At a place called Langjefellhaddin). The cause of the accident is believed to be icing on the plane. All 11 crewmembers were killed. Reference: Missing Aircraft Report {MACR} 8420.

At first the crew were buried near the crash site. After the war, in 1950, they were brought back to USA and buried together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri (SECTION 78 SITE 965-967).

. The Crew of “War Bride” in this “Carpetbagger” mission included:

2LT John B. O'Hara, 22 (pilot)
2LT Delbert E. McCrary, 23 (co-pilot),
2LT Paul Bloomberg,24 (bombardier)
2LT Lewis T. Bambick, 26 (navigator)
S/SGT Robert T. Finn, 23 (engineer)
S/SGT Bernhard F. Gittelman, 23 (radio-operator)
SGT Frank G.Felthouse, 20 (gunner),
S/SGT Norman J McLaughlin, 20 (gunner)
S/SGT Wesley C.Bowman, 21 (gunner)
SGT Hubert D. Bourquin, 29 (gunner)
S/SGT John P. Morris , 22 (gunner)
A memorial remembers the crew at the mountaintop crash site and in the town of Seljord, Norway.