Request for information (pics) about s sgt John S.Channell 535 bomb sq

There is a memorial stone in Binger, OK. It does give his birth date.    Photo is here:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=30140677&PIpi=52875522
 
Here is some information from the 1940 census. He was living at the time in Binger OK.  He had two sisters, Mary Ann and Virgina S  and was born in Arkansas.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VBJ5-75W
 
Grave of Many Ann Channell (Carey)  in Binger
http://www.okcemeteries.net/caddo/murrbing/careyma.htm
 
Mary Ann had married Gerald Carey.   Here is his obit.  He  remarried after Mary Ann's death, so there are a lot of "relatives" to sort through.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-carey&pid=141042455#fbLoggedOut
 
Virginia married Marcus A Lay.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVP7-LJZ

Just curious as to the significance of the crew having their picture taken in front of a B-24 rather than a B-17?

Perhaps this is only news to me, but two of the obituary records Noxon NOXON, Donald E and Thompson THOMPSON, Harry M miss-identify their aircraft as 42-3111 when it is actually 42-31111 (note 4 ones) but the MACR 1659 is correct., full A/C designator: B-17G-1-BO- 42-31111, Joe Baugher: 42-31111 (381st BG, 535rd BS *Four Aces--Pat Hand*) shot down by AAA over Cologne, Germany Dec 1, 1943.  MACR 1659. 10 KIA (BTW the MACR miss-id’s the A/C as 42-111 also in places) the ships name was ‘Four Aces – Pat Hand” photo attached.
 
Fold3: http://www.fold3.com/image/#28704079 this does not help with detail on S/Sgt. John S. Channell but does provide NOK for the rest of the crew which may lead to more info on Sgt. Channell.
 
 
535th Bomb Sq.
381st Bomb Group (H)
WAR DIARY
Submitted by Cpl. Ray Ingham
July 1943
A new crew was assigned today: F/O Joseph K. Robbins, F/O Donald E. Noxon, 1st Lt Sidney Novell, 2nd Lt Walter H. Utley; T/Sgt Peter K. Ludwigson, T/Sgt Sam Zletin, S/Sgt’s Ward R. Bathrick, Toby B. Phillips, Paul T. Mogush and Sgt John S. Channell. The latter transferred to the USAAF from the Royal Canadian Air Force last June.
Source: http://www.381st.org/UnitHistory/WarDiaries/535thBSWarDiary.aspx 
 
RCAF to USAAF is an odd move for a boy from Oklahoma?   
 
Scott

I am John S. Channell's niece. Our family wishes to thank you for adopting John's name.  You are very special to us for doing that. I will be glad to share information with you about John and to answer any questions you may have.  My sister and I visited the cemetery in Margraten in 2006.  It is a beautiful place and we were glad to see John's name on the Wall of the Missing.
 
John was born in 1922 in Arkansas. Later, his family moved to Oklahoma.  John graduated from high school at Oklahoma Military Academy.  He went to Canada and enlisted in the RCAF, 17 Sept. 1941.  He was sent to England and attached to the RAF.  On 11 June 1943, he transferred into the USAAF.  He was stationed at Ridgewell, in the 381st Bomb Group, 535th Squadron.
 
John was a Tail Gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress.  He flew bombing runs over France and Germany and received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal.  His plane was lost over Leverkusen, Germany, 1 Dec. 1943.
Sincerely,
Judy Ray