Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
PRENTISS, Richard Burr - Date of
birth
22 February 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont -
Hometown
Chittenden County, Vermont
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-789200 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
668th Bombardment Squadron,
416th Bombardment Group, Light
-
Awards
Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 December 1944 - Place of
death
Vicinity of Losheim, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 14 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Orlow F. Prentiss (father)
Marjorie B. (Elms) Prentiss (mother)
Robert F. Prentiss (brother)
Barbara J. Prentiss (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-21717 -
Data
Type: A-20J-15
Destination: Ahutte, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 11668
More information
Richard B. Prentiss was a graduate of Burlington high school and Green Mountain junior College. He left Syracuse university in his junior year in 1941 to join the air corps. He trained at Turner field, Albany, Ga., and was graduated as pilot from the advanced flying school in 1942. He received his commission and wings in April, 1942 and served in the anti-submarine patrol off the east coast of the United States and Cuba. It was at that time that he was awarded the air medal. He was promoted from first lieutenant to captain when stationed at Laurel, Miss., in 1943.The airplane was hit by flak over target and was seen spinning straight down with left wing off. The plane crashed before target in vicinity of Losheim. One chute was seen to open at 6-7000 feet.
Cpt Richard B. Prentiss was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Foy, Belgium Block E, Row 11, Grave 270.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.newspapers.com - The Burlington Free Press
Photo source: Astrid van Erp, Aimee Fogg, www.newspapers.com - The Burlington Free Press