Sahner Clifford Douglas, Jr.

Name:

Clifford Douglas, Jr. Sahner

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-690719

Unit:

335th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-02-24

State:

Kentucky

Cemetery:

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA

Plot:

Section F

Row:

Grave:

Site 111

Decoration:

Air Medal

Comments:

Clifford Douglas Sahner Jr. was born on May 29, 1920, in Kentucky. He was the son of Clifford D. Sahner. He was the husband of Marie Edrington "Eddie" McGrath Hale. He served in the 335th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17G #42-31561 nicknamed "Just Elmer's Tune," during World War II.

On February 24, 1944, during its mission targeting Rostock, Germany, "Just Elmer's Tune" sustained significant damage from anti-aircraft flak, which struck engine number one and damaged the stabilizer. Unable to maintain formation, the aircraft fell behind and was further attacked by enemy fighters. The crew was forced to crash-land near Øster Højst, south of Løgumkloster, Denmark. Of the ten crew members, two were killed in action including 2Lt Sahner and the remaining eight crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war. 2Lt Sahner is now buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA.

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de