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Submit- Full
name
HILL, Leroy Melbourne - Date of
birth
3 August 1920 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Hartford, Sebastian County, Arkansas -
Hometown
Saline County, Arkansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18168713 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
790th Bombardment Squadron,
467th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 April 1944 - Place of
death
Near Celle, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 24 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Augustus L. Hill (father)
Janie D. (Lewis) Hill (mother)
Warren Hill (brother)
A.L. Hill (brother)
Ellen J. Hill (sister)
Ruth Hill (sister)
Pauline Hill (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-28749 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Berlin, Germany
MACR: 4943
More information
S/Sgt Leroy M. Hill was employed by the Little Rock Paint and Paper Company and the National Biscuit Company.He enlisted on 2 November 1942.
This was his ninth combat mission.
Statement from Robert S, Seiler, 1st. Lt., AC, Pilot, Asst. Oper. Officer, 791st Bomber Squadron, Heavy:
Position in the high flight of the Second Section of our Group. Formation. In the vicinity of Hanover, we were attacked from 12 o'clock level by three F.W. 190's. As they came thru the formation, I saw #4 engine of B-24 H-41-28749 hit and then start windmilling. At the same time the entire leading edge of the right vertical stabilizer was hit, the slipstream then ripped it right off. The airplane lost speed and was observed by my Navigator, Lt. Brueggemann to slip out of formation. My tail gurret gunner, S/Sgt Carlton W Smith, reported seeing seven parachutes leaving this plane.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Arkansas Gazette - 13 July 1944, Storiesbehindthestars.org