John Leote Vousden was born on 21 October 1917, in Zanesville, Ohio. His parents are John H. & Iva M. (Moore) Vousden. John L. Vousden attended Zanesville High School. It is not known when John came to Marion, Ohio. His draft card was annotated with a new address of North Greenwood St., Marion, Ohio.

John L. Vousden entered service and was assigned to the 2nd Air Transport Squadron, XX Bombardment Command. He last was based out of Luliang, Yunnan, China. John had attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.) and was serving as a radio operator with a crew flying C-46A (#42-96713).

On 16 December 1944, while flying a mission from Luliang, China, to Hsingching, China, the crew of four went missing. The last communication from the crew reported that they were over Ipin, China. The crew was never heard from again, and they were all reported as missing in action.

Sgt. John L. Vousden was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

Sgt. John L. Vousden is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.
Sgt. John L. Vousden’s name is not listed on any memorials in Marion, Ohio.

Crew of C-46A (#42-96713):
1st Lt. Robert M. Cole, Pilot
2nd Lt. Robert E. Smith, Copilot
Sgt. Charles F. Flynn, Jr, Engineer
Sgt. John L. Vousden, Radio Operator