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Submit- Full
name
COMPTON, David Neyland - Date of
birth
12 March 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Norton, Runnels County, Texas -
Hometown
Runnels County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-720186 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
727th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
25 February 1945 - Place of
death
Linz, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 13 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
David E. Compton (father)
Mary E. Compton (mother)
Annis B. Compton (sister)
Edna T. Compton (sister)
Edd Compton (brother)
Troy N. Compton (brother)
Neysa M. (Son) Compton (wife)
David Compton (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52054 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Linz, Austria
Mission: Combat
MACR: 12472
More information
2nd Lt David N. Compton graduated from Norton High School and attended Texas Technical College.Statement from Philip F. Pohl, 2nd Lt, Air Corps, O-777805:
"On 25 February 1945, I was flying behind aircraft 42-52054, piloted by Lieutenant Compton. When the formation was over Linz, Austria, at 1323 hours, and just before "bombs away" a burst of flak struck his ship in the bomb-bays. Almost at the same time, he dropped his bombs. A fire spread from the wings back, and the plane slid away from the formation, losing altitude in a glide. It was still under control when I last saw it. It has been reported that four (4) chutes were seen to open, and that the plane was last seen at an altitude of about 10,000 feet."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Abilene Texas Reporter - 2 April 1944, Fort Worth Star-Telegram - 11 March 1946