Nicholas Donovan Lannin Jr. was born on November 16, 1922, in Irvine, Estill County, Kentucky. He was the son of Nicholas Donovan "Don" Lannin and Jane "Jennie" Lynn Lannin. He served in the 716th Bomber Squadron, 449th Bomber Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-24J #42-64462 nicknamed “Stinky the B.T.O.” during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, the B-24J “Stinky the B.T.O.” joined the Regensburg mission during “Big Week.” On the return flight, the bomber was struck by flak and attacked by fighters before exploding in mid-air. It crashed near Wenigzell, Styria, Austria, resulting in the deaths of three crew members, while the remaining seven were captured and spent the rest of the war as prisoners of war.

2Lt Lannin was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Source of information: 449th.com, www.findagrave.com