James Clayton Johnston was born on February 18, 1924, in Michigan. He was the son of Marjorie F. Zintgraff Johnston. He served in the 777th Bomb Squadron, 464th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Gunner of B-24G #42-78092, nicknamed "Old Gran-Dad's Dream," during World War II.

On the morning of May 27, 1944, the "Old Gran-Dad's Dream" took off from Gioia del Colle Airfield, Italy. Piloted by 2Lt Parrish, the bomber joined a large formation assigned to attack the German-controlled railway yards at Nîmes, France, a key transportation target in the Allied campaign to disrupt Axis logistics before the invasion of southern Europe. As the formation crossed southern France, the aircraft approached the area around Courthézon, just north of Avignon. At approximately 10:15 a.m., German heavy anti-aircraft batteries (Flak) scored a direct hit between the No. 3 engine and the fuselage. The explosion was catastrophic. Witnesses reported that the bomber broke apart in mid-air as the right wing folded, causing the aircraft to roll over before exploding. Burning wreckage fell across the Saint-Laurent district of Courthézon, leaving no opportunity for any of the crew to escape. All ten airmen aboard were killed instantly.

SSgt Johnston is now buried in the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, Draguignan, Département du Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net