Meyer Levin (military)
Meyer Levin | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Mike |
| Born | June 5, 1916 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | January 7, 1943 (aged 26) New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1939 - 1943 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant, bombardier |
| Unit | 19th Bombardment Group |
| Battles / wars | World War II, against Japan; Coral Sea |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Oak Leaf Cluster (6) Silver Star medal American Defense Service Medal(1) American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (6) Philippine Defense Medal World War II Victory Medal Good Conduct Medal |
| Alma mater | Brooklyn Technical High School |
Meyer (Mike) Levin (June 5, 1916 - January 7, 1943) was a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier, pilot, and war hero. Three days after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, he flew on a mission with pilot Colin Kelly against the Japanese navy. Kelly died trying to save his crew and became a war hero. On that mission, Levin became the first American to blow up a Japanese warship. During his subsequent 60 combat missions, Levin also sank an enemy ship during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
A year later, although he was off duty, he volunteered to be the spotter and bombardier for a combat mission near New Guinea. During its return, the B-17 ran low on fuel and made a forced landing into stormy seas. Levin remained in the plane and released the life raft which saved the lives of the three other crew members. In doing so, however, Levin was injured and died when the plane sank.
Levin received the distinguished flying cross for bombing the IJN light cruiser Natori, the silver star for a direct hit on a 15,000 ton Japanese transport, and the oak leaf cluster for gallantry. He is remembered as one of the first American heroes of World War II for sacrificing his own life to save members of his crew.