John William Lemley was born on October 28, 1923, in Iowa. He was the son of Lawrence A. Lemley and Mildred E. Cannon Lemley. He resided in Yakima County, Washington, prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on March 9, 1943, in Spokane, Washington. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Filling Station Attendant and also as Single, with dependents. John served in the 782nd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Gunner on the B-24 #44-41011 during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the 'Fast Number' took off from Pantanella Airfield in Cerignola, Italy, on a mission to bomb the steel plant at Friedrichshafen, Germany. After completing the bombing run, the aircraft was attacked by German fighters during the return flight over Tyrol, Austria. Fast Number was struck by 20mm cannon fire from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 flown by an unknown pilot of Jagdgeschwader 3, causing catastrophic damage. The bomber exploded in mid-air, killing several crew members instantly, and the others managed to bail out and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

SSgt Lemley was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, 465th.org