US AIRBORNE

Thomas Meehan III was born on July 8th, 1921 in Philadelphia. He was killed on June 6th, 1944 during the invasion of Normandy.

Very early Tom shows a talent for the art. He will study in Philadelphia School of Industrial Art to become creative advertising.

But the war broke its career. He was excellent rider and a good climber. He met itself in a armored company. Not liking this life, he decided to go volunteer for the paratroopers.

Thomas Meehan III was incorporated into the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne.

Thomas Meehan was named 1st Lieutenant and received the command of E Co neighborhood 6 months before the operation Neptune on Normandy.

He will die on June 6th, 1944, at night of D-Day.

He was in C-47 N ° 66. The plane touched by the German flak. During some minutes, the plane stayed in the formation to lose gradually of the height. He eventually crashes in a hedge close to Ste Mere Eglise. The plane burned for 3 days, the heat getting free of the center prevented who whoever of without approaching.

Then, they searched the site and found only still closed belts of parachutes what proves that nobody had no time to escape, crickets, ring and watch with needles blocked on 01:12 and "dog-tags". Among fragments, they found a helmet flattened further to the impact.

The rests will be buried in a cemetery of Ste Mere Eglise, France.

Then, his skin will be repatriated on March 27th, 1951 to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri.

Anne Shore Meehan and Thomas Meehan III, 1942