Name:
John Burleigh Mead
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-733073
Unit:
406th Bomber Squadron, 801st Bomb Group
Date of Death:
2005-01-27
State:
Florida
Cemetery:
Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
Plot:
All Saints Mausoleum
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Comments:
1st Lt John Burleigh Mead, bombardier of the B-24 Liberator 42-63798, took off from station 179 Harrington, Northamptonshire, UK at 2158 on a mission to resupply the French underground with weapons and supplies. The plane was shot down by German AA fire over Gilly-sur-Loire. The crew finished bailing out at 5000 feet, leaving the plane to crash and burn at 0110. Lt Mead was enlisted into the local underground (E&E report #2638) and was instrumental in the liberation of Rouen and Lyon as well as assisting in the escape movement of Army Air Force personnel interned in Switzerland.