Melvin Raymond Strom
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
STROM, Melvin Raymond
Melvin Raymond Strom was born on November 8th 1919 in Duluth, Minnesota to John & Winifred Strom.
Mr. Strom enlisted in the Army on July 15th 1942 and served during WWII, He was assigned the Army Air Corps, 15th Air Force, 449th Bomber Group based in Italy. He was an Aerial Gunner aboard a Liberator B-24H. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On February 7th 1945 the crew was shot down by direct flak hit over Austria while on mission to strike the oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, Germany.
Killed In Action were crewmembers:
Capt. Edwin M Thrailkill, Pilot
1st Lt. George C Antonakos
2nd Lt. John E Holohan
SSgt. James D Brogger
SSgt. Joseph Carchia
SSgt. Paul P Chernak, Jr
SSgt. Harry Hayslett
SSgt. Paul E Maiewski
SSgt. Chester Weinstein. -and-
SSgt Melvin R Strom of Minnesota. The only survivor was the co-pilot who was blown clear of the aircraft in the explosion.
SSGT Strom was KIA (killed in action) on February 7th 1945 at the age of 25 years old. He is buried at Oneota Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 10.
Melvin R Strom in WWII Army Enlistment Records - Fold3
SSGT Melvin R Strom (1919-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970 - Ancestry.com
