MCALLISTER, MELVIN Aug 15, 1945 age 29 DNB France

MELVIN ROY MCALLISTER  b. Dec 9, 1945 Becher, Ont, Canada d. Aug 15, 1945

Died Non Battle Europe/France

S Sgt 36509930 Army Air Force Base Unit 1411

Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

 

Parents: Harry & Harriett (Booth)

Siblings: George, Wilfred B., Francis Henry
Spouse: Doris Mary (Branch)
Children: Donna Marie, Melvin R., James H., Patricia Anne

The entire Canadian McAllister family (excepting Francis who was born later) crossed the border from Canada in 1927. Their father crossed previously and had a U.S.  address of 15107 Bentler. He worked as a metal finisher in the auto factory.

After Melvin attended Redford, He married Doris Mary in 1934 and they lived at 15474 Blackstone. He became a naturalized citizen. Melvin was 6’ at 174 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes when he registered for the draft Oct 16, 1940. By that time he had had 4 children and was a welder for Chrysler Corp. His youngest two children died before they reached one year.

In April 1944 the Army Air Forces developed a new organization known as the Army Air forces Base Unit to standardize unit designations assigned to bases. The 1411 Base Unit was at Istres Air Base near Marseille, France. When the combat united moved north into eastern France Istres was used by Air Transport Command as a transshipment point for supplies and Allied personnel being administratively controlled by the 1411^th AAFBU. At the end of the war Istres was used as a staging point between Occupied Germany and Morocco for air transport of personnel back to the United States. It was returned to full French control in October 1945.

Wife Donna remarried 1947, divorced in 1951.

Initially buried at Luynes-Aix-En-Provence Melvin was returned for reburial at Arlington Feb 28, 1950. He is buried next to his brother Wilfred, also on the memorial plaque.