41-12950         B25

 

On 10 September 1943, B-25C, # 41-12950, of the 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron, departed the Air Base at Chakulia, India, enroute to bomb Naba Junction, Burma, with 90% cloud cover and poor visibility. The circumstances of the loss of the aircraft were unknown. It failed to return from the combat mission. It was last seen climbing for altitude over the target area. Its crew was comprised of:

                                        Pilot                             2ndLt John Lemich (NMI)                  0-7309934

                                        Co-Pilot                       Flight Off. Charles M. Weaver             T-1032

                                        Bombardier                  1stLt Max J. Greenstein                       0-734234

                                        Engineer                      SSgt George G. Danfield                     16001598

                                        Radio Operator            SSgt William N. Watkins                     31087698

                                        Armorer                       Sgt Thomas P. Zera                             13085610

 

Last to see the aircraft were 2ndLt Wendell H. Hanson, 0-732544 and SSgt William N. Wilt, 13021751.

 

LEMICH, JOHN (NMI), First Lieutenant, # 0-730934, USAAF

 

John Lemich was born 12 January 1918 to George Lemich (1892-1980) and Mary Fera Lemich (1887-1952). The 1940 census for Ely, White Pine Co., Nevada, shows Mary Lemich as family head, with John Lemich, age 22, and Edward Lemich, age 20. The 1930 census for Ruth, White Pine Co., Nevada shows George Lemich (1890-    ), Pearl Lemich, age 38 (1892-    ), with children – Mildred Lemich (1915-    ), Michael “Mike” Lemich (1917-    ), John Lemich, age 12 (1918-    ), Mary Lemich (1919-    ), Nick Lemich (1923--    ), and Daniel Lemich (1925-    ). He had married Avern Elizabeth (Bond) Lemich (1921-1999) and they had a son. They married while he was in training at Williams Field, Maricopa Co., Arizona. His bride lived in Grass Valley, California. The wedding was performed by Dr. Rollo C. LaPorte

 

He registered for the WW II draft, giving his DOB as 20 April 1918 in Tonopah, Nevada; he worked for the Consolidated Copper Mines Co. and described himself as 5’10”, 160 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He enlisted 26 January 1942 in the USAAF in San Francisco, CA, giving a home address of White Pine Co., Nevada, (enlisted service # 16001593). Promoted to First Lieutenant while in missing in action status. On 10 September 1943, B-25C, # 41-12950, of the 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron, departed the Air Base at Chakulia, India, enroute to bomb Naba Junction, with 90% cloud cover and poor visibility. The circumstances of the loss of the aircraft were unknown. It failed to return from the combat mission. It was last seen climbing for altitude over the target area. His family placed a memorial marker in Mountain View Cemetery, Reno, Nevada. A group burial of multiple unidentifiable remains were recovered by a Graves Registration team. The group burial was in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on 10 September 1949 (Section 82. Grave No. 191) and included George G Danfield, SSgt, Max J Greenstein, 1stLt, Charles M Weaver, F/O, William J Watkins, SSgt, Thomas P Zera, Sgt. Brother Dan Lemich also served during WW II. Inducted into the U.S. Army 5 June 1943, he was sent first to Fort Douglas, Utah.