Schaffer John Edward

Monuments

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Information Boards

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Monument

Name:

John Edward Schaffer

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

34395238

Unit:

615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1992-09-28

State:

Alabama

Cemetery:

Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cullman, Cullman County, Alabama

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal

Comments:

John Edward Schaffer was born on October 11, 1920. He served in the 615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner 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. SSgt Schaeffer was one of the POWs.

SSgt Schaeffer died on September 28, 1992, at the age of 71. He is now buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cullman, Cullman County, Alabama, USA.

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