Melvin Cohn was born on September 7, 1924, in Kansas. He was the son of Paul P. "Pete" Cohn and Rose Karosen Cohn. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17 #42-102562 nicknamed ''Knockout'' during World War II.

On November 2, 1944, "Knock Out" participated in a bombing mission targeting the synthetic oil plant in Merseburg, Germany—a heavily defended site. After completing the bombing run, the formation was attacked by German fighter aircraft. "Knock Out" sustained critical damage during this engagement and crashed near Polleben, close to Halle, Germany. Tragically, five crew members were killed in action while the remaining four survived and were captured by German forces, becoming prisoners of war.

TSgt Cohn was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Sheffield Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, USA. Melvin Cohn's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 24, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org