John H. Porterfield was born on October 10, 1921. He served in the 848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Right Waist Gunner on the B-17G #43-37884 "Pensy Belle" during World War II. He was Killed in Action on November 5, 1944, when his plane crashed near Neustadt, Germany. They were on a bombing run hitting the Focke Wulf plant in Bremen. SSgt Porterfield is now buried in the Alamance Memorial Park, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina, USA.

Crew of the B-17G #43-37884:
1Lt Clarence Bridwell - Pilot - KIA
2Lt Floyd Norman - Co-Pilot - KIA
SSgt Wendell Cole - Bombardier, enlisted, Nose Gunner - KIA
2Lt Dick Colyer - Navigator - KIA
SSgt Paul Finot - Top Turret Gunner - POW
SSgt Robert Joyce - Tail Gunner - KIA
TSgt Edward Longer - Radio Operator - KIA
SSgt John Porterfield - Right Waist Gunner - KIA
2Lt Jack Provolt - Bombardier - KIA