Burns John Durward

Name:

John Durward Burns

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

18177714

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-06-18

State:

Texas

Cemetery:

Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA

Plot:

Garden of Peace Block 88

Row:

Lot 45

Grave:

Space 4

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

John Durward Burns was born on February 14, 1923, in Blooming Grove, Navarro County, Texas. He was the son of Marvin Elmo Burns and Ina Leola Mahone Burns. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-97626 nicknamed ''Contrary Mary'' during World War II.

On June 18, 1944, Contrary Mary participated in a bombing mission targeting Hamburg, Germany. During the mission, the aircraft was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire (flak), which ignited the No. 1 engine. The resulting damage caused the left wing to detach, leading to the aircraft's disintegration in mid-air. The wreckage crashed near Fleestedt, southeast of Harburg, Germany. Seven were killed in action, and three survived as prisoners of war.

SSgt Burns was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA. John D. Burns' name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.B-17flyingfortress.de, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org