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name
CUMMINGS, Eldon Jean - Date of
birth
28 September 1918 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Payette, Payette County, Idaho -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-740758 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
336th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 July 1943 - Place of
death
Kiel-Gaarden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ernest J. Cummings (father)
Hattie G. (Hillman) Cummings (mother)
Ernest Cummings (brother)
Hubert Cummings (brother)
Leland Cummings (brother)
William Cummings (brother)
Marian E. (Criss) Cummings (wife)
Eldon J. Cummings, Jr. (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3277 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Krupp Germaniawerft U-boat yards
MACR: 194
More information
2nd Lt Eldon J. Cummings worked in a warehouse before he volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army in Los Angeles, California on 19 March 1942."In the raid over Kiel, July 25, 1943, we observed that Aircraft No. 42-3277 was hit by anti-aircraft fire between #3 and #4 engines, half-rolled over, out of formation, and went down. It seemed possible that it could have levelled off; however, this is not a certainty. The hit occurred directly over the target, Kiel, about 1650 hours, and flying at an altitude of 22,600 ft.
Two chutes were seen to leave the ship."
-Statement of Paul E. Perceful, FO, Robert L. Mytinger, 2nd Lt, and Harry Moore, S/Sgt.
Nine crew members were killed, and one was taken prisoner. The killed crew members were initially buried at the Garnison Cemetery of Kiel on 28 July 1943.
2nd Lt Cummings is remembered at the Middleton Cemetery in Middleton, Canyon County, Idaho.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com,
www.findagrave.com - Dan Fowler, Idaho Birth Index, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com - Dan Fowler, The Idaho Statesman - 6 November 1943