Name:
John Gavin
Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-727332
Unit:
67th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1943-01-03
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John Gavin served in the 67th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of the B-24 #41-23806 "Bat outta Hell" during World War II. On January 3, 1943, their airplane crash-landed at New House Farm, Dreenhill, Wales, due to fuel exhaustion. Their plane was engaged in bombing the submarine pens in St. Nazaire, France, and was returning home but was mistakenly headed for the Pembrokeshire coast. Three crew members died in the incident. Fortunately, 2Lt Gavin was one of those who were injured in the incident and was taken to the War Memorial Hospital at Haverfordwest.