Sgt. Meyer Levin, the Jewish boy from Brooklyn, who first broke into the headlines as bombardier on the plane piloted by Capt. Colin Kelley which sank the Japanese battleship Haruna, and who then went on to write aerial history in the Pacific skies, is dead, the War Department has notified his family. Levin, the holder of three decorations for gallantry in action, died when his bomber was shot down in the New Guinea region, the official report stated.
The son of Sam and Leah Levin, the young bombardier was the first American Jewish hero of the war. Only a few months ago the Borough of Brooklyn, where he lived, declared a special “Meyer Levin Day” and a large celebration was held outside his home. Prominent political figures paid tribute to his heroism and a plaque listing his exploits was presented to his parents.
Levin, who was only 26, was in the Philippines when the war broke out and fought there until last March when he was evacuated to Australia. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and the Oak Leaf Cluster. He joined the Air Corps in June, 1939.
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