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name
KUSTRA, Michael - Date of
birth
21 May 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13177385 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
Leipzig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 32 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Michael Kustra (father)
Mary (Kozemko) Kustra (mother)
Helen Kustra (sister)
Joseph Kustra (brother)
Peter Kustra (brother)
Mildred Kustra (sister)
Nancy Kustra (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-39164 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the rail traffic center
MACR: 13850
More information
Michael Kustra worked in a machine shop before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 11 December 1942.The airplane collided with B-17 #43-38801 just after they left the target area.
It peeled off to the right, the #3 engine fell out, and #4 was on fire. It went into a spin and fell apart.
Three crew members were taken prisoner, and five men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census / Family Tree, www.fold3.com, www.384thbombgroup.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com