 The medals and Badges John Liekhus probably earned
John H. Liekhus entered the Service from California. Liekhus’ plane, Boeing built silver G model (B-17), was named after the girl painted on the nose of the plane, “Bomber Dear”. She was portrayed fully dressed in a flight suit and parachute harness, waving a flying helmet. The plane’s first combat flight was to Brussels three days after assignment to the group.
John H. Liekhus left his buddy and C. Athas right
“Bomber Dear” was one of 13 Forts from the group which were lost during the disastrous mission of November 2, 1944. The mission was to bomb the oil facilities at Merseburg. The stream of bombers flew at about 26,000ft when they were attacked by a Sturmgruppe of about 50 to 75 German fighter planes. In huge waves the German fighter planes attacked the formation in a though battle that lasted about 20 minutes. 1/Lt. John H. Liekhus’ “Bomber Dear” was hit after 10 minutes in battle, on her 66th sortie. It was hit very badly and was reported as peeling away from the group at 12.57 Hours encased in a ball of flame. 1/Lt. Liekhus and four of his crew were killed, but miraculously four others survived the inferno.
Liekhus' Purple Heart and Purple Heart Ribbon
C. Athas left and John H. Liekhus right
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery
Henri-Chapelle, Belgium
 Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Belgium
(Picture courtesy of Rick Mommers)
For more detailed information:
http://www.bombsqd323rd.com
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