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Submit- Full
name
CLAYDON, Howard William - Date of
birth
30 March 1911 -
Age
33 - Place of
birth
Lancaster, Erie County, New York -
Hometown
Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16084338 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
861st Bombardment Squadron,
493rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 November 1944 - Place of
death
South East of Leipzig
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 38 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William Claydon (father)
Lena Claydon (mother)
Ethel Claydon (sister)
Marjorie M. (Squires) Claydon (wife)
Joyce E. Claydon (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8246 -
Data
Type: B-17SH
Destination: Merseburg Oil Refinery, Germany
Mission: Strategical
MACR: 10169
More information
T/Sgt Howard W. Claydon graduated from New Buffalo High School and was employed by the Nash Grand Rapids Co. He enlisted on 29 April 1942 at Kalamazoo, Michigan.This A/C received direct flak hit between No. 2 engine and fuselage. The left wing was on fire and the fuselage also was on fire from the radio compartment to the tail. The left elevator was shot away. The aircraft peeled off to the left under control, losing altitude slowly. It then went into a steep dive and out of sight. Two crews reported seeing a crew member jump but did not see his chute.
Engineer Howard W. Claydon tried to bail out but was caught on the door handle by his harness. He was last seen dangling on the bottom of the plane, tangled by his parachute straps. He was initially buried on 9 November 1944 at Cemetery Leipzig East.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1940 Census / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Grand Rapids Press - 14 July 1944