Lemke Beryl Frederick

Monuments

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Information Boards

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Monument

Name:

Beryl Frederick Lemke

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-690672

Unit:

615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1998-10-06

State:

Ohio

Cemetery:

Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

554

Decoration:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Comments:

Beryl Frederick Lemke was born on October 17, 1917, in Celina, Ohio. He was the son of Henry Frederick and Rosetta B Lemke.

Beryl served in the 615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Navigator on the B-17 #42-40002 'Breezing Home' during World War II.

On June 19, 1944, his crew took off from Station 128 in Deenethorpe, England, for a mission to bomb the Bordeaux-Mérignac airfield in France. Hit by flak at around 10:00H, their plane developed mechanical problems (1 engine on fire - 2 others out of order - oil pressure). The plane was completely evacuated at 8,000 feet. Fortunately, all members survived the crash and the war. Their airplane crashed in Le Pouyau - 4 km south of Lesparre-Médoc. Based on the records, eight members were captured by the Germans before being released in Angoulêmes and returned to the UK. Two have evaded the capture. 1Lt Lemke was one of the POWs.

1Lt Lemke died on October 6, 1998, at the age of 80. He is now buried in the Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net