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name
CARPENTER, Walter Richard - Date of
birth
9 August 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana -
Hometown
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-533026 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
348th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
16 March 1944 - Place of
death
Calmette Millitary Hospital
Lille, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 21 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Walter F. Carpenter (father)
Mabel Carpenter (mother)
Constance Carpenter (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39991 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Look Homeward Angel
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area in the suburbs of the city
MACR: 2741
More information
1st Lt Walter R. Carpenter had been stationed in Hawaii for two years prior to his assignment in Europe.The mission took place on 4 March 1944 and the objective was to bomb industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin. Due to bad weather, some aircraft turned back and some hit targets of opportunity. Along with 34 other B-17's, the airplane of Lt Carpenter attacked Cologne.
The plane peeled off and left formation under control; all engines were running, but one may have been hit by flak. It was last seen going down but still under control. It crashlanded 1 km south of Blangermont-Blangerval, France.
Lt Carpenter died in the Calmette Military Hospital in Lille, France after a leg amputation.
Besides Lt Carpenter, one other crew member were killed. Six men were taken prisoner and two men evaded capture.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Nancy Calhoun (niece), www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Nancy Calhoun (niece)