American airman's remain identified - ETO

Andy in West Oz · 31-07-2007, 02:29 AM

WSAW - HomePage

Since December of 1944, the family of 2nd Lieutenant John Lubben knew only that John was shot down in Germany in World War 2, and was one of thousands of missing American soldiers.
Now John's remains have been identified, and he will finally receive a military burial in Wisconsin Rapids.
Paul Lubben and Margaret Hafermann say because their brother John was one of about 78,000 missing American soldiers they never imagined they'd be able to lay him to rest in his beloved home town.
"It didn't seem possible", Paul said. "It was just an impossible thing. It didn't seem real."
John was already a World War 2 hero before he went to Germany with the Army Air Corps in 1944.
"He was in Pearl Harbor", said Paul. "He was wounded there in 1941. He got the Purple Heart there. He was strafed across the legs."
After his leg injuries from the Pearl Harbor attack, he voluntarily enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
John was shot down in his A-20 bomber in Germany, on December 12th, 1944, days before the Battle of the Bulge.
More than 30 years later, the remains of three American soldiers were found buried under a tree near Wollseifen, Germany.
The remains were moved and buried in Belgium.
It wasn't until earlier this year, after a DNA sample from John was compared to Paul's DNA, that Paul and Margaret found out John's remains had been identified and were coming home.
Some intermingled remains from all three soldiers will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in September, but John's family said they know he would want to be buried in his home town, alongside his parents at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.
Paul and Margaret say after a lifetime of waiting, they will finally be able to honor their older brother.
And Margaret says it will be a long-awaited relief. "It's bringing a closure. An end to all this."
The burial service will be this Tuesday morning at 11:00 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.

Kyt · 31-07-2007, 03:15 AM

Interestingly, the American Battle Monuments Commission seems to have the date of his death wrong on the register!

Kyt · 31-07-2007, 03:33 AM

A-20 43-21720
MACR 11023

Kyt · 31-07-2007, 04:20 AM

A-20J - pilot, dorsal turret gunner, ventral tunnel gunner, and bombardier. The other crew were (again wrong year given):

31-07-2007, 02:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Andy in West Oz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: House of Bedfords, Perth, Western Australia Posts: 760	American airman's remain identified - ETO WSAW - HomePage Since December of 1944, the family of 2nd Lieutenant John Lubben knew only that John was shot down in Germany in World War 2, and was one of thousands of missing American soldiers. Now John's remains have been identified, and he will finally receive a military burial in Wisconsin Rapids. Paul Lubben and Margaret Hafermann say because their brother John was one of about 78,000 missing American soldiers they never imagined they'd be able to lay him to rest in his beloved home town. "It didn't seem possible", Paul said. "It was just an impossible thing. It didn't seem real." John was already a World War 2 hero before he went to Germany with the Army Air Corps in 1944. "He was in Pearl Harbor", said Paul. "He was wounded there in 1941. He got the Purple Heart there. He was strafed across the legs." After his leg injuries from the Pearl Harbor attack, he voluntarily enlisted in the Army Air Corps. John was shot down in his A-20 bomber in Germany, on December 12th, 1944, days before the Battle of the Bulge. More than 30 years later, the remains of three American soldiers were found buried under a tree near Wollseifen, Germany. The remains were moved and buried in Belgium. It wasn't until earlier this year, after a DNA sample from John was compared to Paul's DNA, that Paul and Margaret found out John's remains had been identified and were coming home. Some intermingled remains from all three soldiers will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in September, but John's family said they know he would want to be buried in his home town, alongside his parents at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids. Paul and Margaret say after a lifetime of waiting, they will finally be able to honor their older brother. And Margaret says it will be a long-awaited relief. "It's bringing a closure. An end to all this." The burial service will be this Tuesday morning at 11:00 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids. __________________ Cheers Andy Apres moi le deluge But there are deeds that should not pass away....And names that must not wither - Byron HMAS Sydney II - lost with all hands and waiting to be found

31-07-2007, 03:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kyt Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,968	Interestingly, the American Battle Monuments Commission seems to have the date of his death wrong on the register! __________________ _______________________________________ Squadron Leader Pujji - Audio Interviews (half way down the page)

31-07-2007, 03:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kyt Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,968	A-20 43-21720 MACR 11023 __________________ _______________________________________ Squadron Leader Pujji - Audio Interviews (half way down the page)

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