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SSGT Arvid Mehtala
Monument

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SSGT Arvid Mehtala Veteran

Birth
Aitkin County, Minnesota, USA
Death
18 Nov 1943 (aged 20–21)
At Sea
Monument
Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England Add to Map
Plot
Tablets of the Missing
Memorial ID
View Source
Tail Gunner S/Sgt. Arvid Mehtala MIA/KIA
Hometown: Arthyde, Minnesota
Squadron: 578th Bomb Sq 392th Bomb Gp
Service# 37307151
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Teddy Dudziak, MIA/KIA

Target: Kjeller, Norway
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: #01503
Date Lost: 18-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7486
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "THE SHARK" 10th Mission
Location:Suspected of having to ditch in the North Sea.
Cause: Fighters 10 MIA/KIA

For the second consecutive mission, the Group was given a long mission into Norway the only ones to be flown against this country during World War II. Twenty-two (22) aircraft were launched, led by the 579th, and (21) bombed the target from 12,000 ft. with very good results. Once again, enemy fighters were engaged consisting of 20-25 single and twin-engine types with Group gunners claiming (3) kills. The unit suffered (2) aircraft losses, causes unknown, and (20) aircrew casualties all MIA. This was to be the longest mission ever flown by the 392nd as it logged 10:30 hours flight duration.

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: There is no specific account in the MACR on this aircrew's loss except the notation of this aircraft having been attacked by enemy fighters and suspected of having to ditch in the North Sea. There are no indications as to whether this event took place before or after the target was attacked by the Group.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: None available.

BURIAL RECORDS: No German reports exist on this aircrew's loss. U.S. National Cemetery listings reflect all members of the crew on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the CAMBRIDGE, England, site. All were recorded as having received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

The "BIG DOG" crew
1/LT Teddy Dudziak Pilot
1/LT Teddy Dudziak Pilot
2nd/Lt. John A. Miller, Jr Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William Berlin Navigator
2nd/Lt Joseph V. Cattano Bombardier
T/Sgt. Herbert P. Bauer Engineer
T/Sgt. Herbert P. Bauer Engineer
T/Sgt. Harry Q. Watson Radio Op.
T/Sgt. Harry Q. Watson Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Earl A Patterson, Jr
S/Sgt. Edmond R. Naters Gunner
S/Sgt. Daniel Bartholomew
S/Sgt. Arvid Mehtala
Tail Gunner S/Sgt. Arvid Mehtala MIA/KIA
Hometown: Arthyde, Minnesota
Squadron: 578th Bomb Sq 392th Bomb Gp
Service# 37307151
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Teddy Dudziak, MIA/KIA

Target: Kjeller, Norway
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: #01503
Date Lost: 18-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7486
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "THE SHARK" 10th Mission
Location:Suspected of having to ditch in the North Sea.
Cause: Fighters 10 MIA/KIA

For the second consecutive mission, the Group was given a long mission into Norway the only ones to be flown against this country during World War II. Twenty-two (22) aircraft were launched, led by the 579th, and (21) bombed the target from 12,000 ft. with very good results. Once again, enemy fighters were engaged consisting of 20-25 single and twin-engine types with Group gunners claiming (3) kills. The unit suffered (2) aircraft losses, causes unknown, and (20) aircrew casualties all MIA. This was to be the longest mission ever flown by the 392nd as it logged 10:30 hours flight duration.

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: There is no specific account in the MACR on this aircrew's loss except the notation of this aircraft having been attacked by enemy fighters and suspected of having to ditch in the North Sea. There are no indications as to whether this event took place before or after the target was attacked by the Group.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: None available.

BURIAL RECORDS: No German reports exist on this aircrew's loss. U.S. National Cemetery listings reflect all members of the crew on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the CAMBRIDGE, England, site. All were recorded as having received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

The "BIG DOG" crew
1/LT Teddy Dudziak Pilot
1/LT Teddy Dudziak Pilot
2nd/Lt. John A. Miller, Jr Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William Berlin Navigator
2nd/Lt Joseph V. Cattano Bombardier
T/Sgt. Herbert P. Bauer Engineer
T/Sgt. Herbert P. Bauer Engineer
T/Sgt. Harry Q. Watson Radio Op.
T/Sgt. Harry Q. Watson Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Earl A Patterson, Jr
S/Sgt. Edmond R. Naters Gunner
S/Sgt. Daniel Bartholomew
S/Sgt. Arvid Mehtala

Inscription

SSGT, 578 AAF BOMB SQ WORLD WAR II

Gravesite Details

Entered the service from Minnesota.


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  • Maintained by: ShaneO
  • Originally Created by: War Graves
  • Added: Aug 6, 2010
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56292421/arvid-mehtala: accessed ), memorial page for SSGT Arvid Mehtala (1922–18 Nov 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56292421, citing Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England; Maintained by ShaneO (contributor 47009366).