Melvin B. Meyer
Melvin Bernard Meyer was born 2-MAR 1919 in Pattonville Missouri. His father was Henry Meyer (1872-1929) and his mother was Anna Ebbesmeyer Meyer (1886-1966). He had six siblings: Florence, Harold, Julius, Adele and Alice.
He married Vivian Ann Tippit in 1943. Before entering the Army Air Corps, Melvin was employed by Wagner Electric in St. Louis Missouri.
In May 1944, Meyer was assigned to the 569th Bombardment Squadron, 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 13th Bombardment Wing, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force. Melvin’s B-17 Flying Fortress was serial number 42-39953 and named “Flying Coffin” (aka: “Dutch Cleaner” aka: “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”) The 390th Bomb Group was based in Parham, England and flew 301 combat missions against German military targets, bombing aircraft factories, bridges, and oil refineries. Melvin was the bombardier of a B-17G Flying Fortress during a huge bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany, on 29-MAY 1944.
It would take 79 years for Melvin to come home.
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