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name
HASTINGS, David Shove - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York -
Hometown
Solvay, Onondaga County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-836778 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
Leipzig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 40 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
J. Murray Hastings (father)
Marion S. Hastings (mother)
John M. Hastings (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38801 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Ruth
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the rail traffic center
MACR: 13851
More information
1st Lt David S. Hastings attended Hamilton College.He enlisted in June 1942.
The airplane collided with B-17 #43-39164 just after they left the target area.
The tail was destroyed, and it had a hole in the right trailing edge of the wing. The pilot held control for a minute and then went into a steep dive.
Seven crew members were killed, and one was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.384thbombgroup.com, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, The Post Standard - 13 January 1946