John Franklin Goan was born on May 24, 1921, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the son of Frank Bercaw Goan and Bessie Langston Goan. He was married to Vera Mae Walker Goan.

John served in the 701st Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-24 #42-95280 'Square Dance' during World War II.

On June 27, 1944, at 04:30 PM, his crew took off at Station 124 airfield in Tibenham, England, on a mission to bomb the marshaling yard and air base in Creil, France. At 07:45 PM, their airplane was shot down by flak, exploded in flight, and crashed into the castle park in Mello, France. Four members died in this incident, two were taken as prisoners, and four members evaded capture. Sgt Goan was one of the evadees. He was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

Sgt Goan retired from the United States Air Force, achieving his highest rank as Lieutenant Colonel. He died at Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma, TN, at the age of 80. Goan is now buried in the Franklin Memorial Gardens, Winchester, Franklin County, Tennesse.

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