John E. Lindgren

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Air Force

John E. Lindgren entered the Army Air Force on March 19,1944, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Virginia, Minnesota.

He served as a Sergeant and aerial gunner with 307th Bomb Group, 424th Bomb Squadron, 13th Army Air Force in air combat in Borneo, Bismarck, Archipelago, China, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. Participated in 23 combat missions aboard a B-24 Liberator Bomber. Attended gunnery training at Tonapah, Nevada.

At the age of 36 at entry, he was the oldest flying crew member in his eight plane squadron. After the war ended, the pilot, co-pilot, navigator and bombardier were killed in a plane crash in Guam on their way home. The enlisted members went home by ship and survived.

Mr. Lindgren was awarded the following: Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and one overseas service bar.

He was honorably discharged on January 19, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Source:  Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project,  page 359.

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