John H. Springer was born Jan. 29, 1923 to Arthur L. and Lydia Clara Therese Charlotte Potratz Springer. He died Feb. 3, 1945 and is buried in Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, IA.
Sgt. Springer served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 566th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force and was KIA in Germany. He was a crew member on the B-24J Liberator Bomber #42-51551 “Delectable Doris” when their plane was hit by flak over Ohlendorf/Salzgitter, Germany. The plane took a direct hit in the flight deck and in the cockpit.
Sgt. Springer was awarded the Army Air Corps Aerial Gunner Wings, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct, American Campaign, European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with battle stars, WWII Victory Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.
Source: ancestry.com
