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name
BROWN, Charles - Date of
birth
18 August 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut -
Hometown
Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts -
Religion
Jewish
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31159787 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
569th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Quelkhorn, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 13 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Nathan Brown (father)
Minnie Brown (mother)
Irving Brown (brother)
Ida Brown (sister)
Marion Brown (sister)
Annette Brown (sister)
Goldie Brown (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30292 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Pulsatin' Polly
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 783
More information
S/Sgt Charles Brown was employed at the Mass Publishing Co.He enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts, on 11 August 1942.
According to the right waist gunner, S/Sgt Harold T. Lambert, the airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire about the time he reached the Initial Point. Two engines were afire and there was also fire in the accessory compartment and part of the oxygen system was disabled. Also, the radio room and the cockpit were hit, injuring both pilots. They were forced to leave the formation and were attacked by enemy fighters, causing further damage. The pilot, Lt Marshall Shepherd, gave the order to bail out, but he was never able to leave his seat himself. While the crew members were trying to leave the airplane, it blew up.
Four men survived and were taken prisoner, six men were killed.
It was the 13th mission of this crew.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, Herb Shifres