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Personal info

Full name
GARY, Dana Elson
Date of birth
9 February 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Rush Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-817196
Rank
Captain
Function
Pilot
Unit
571st Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
30 November 1944
Place of death
Oberklobikau, 11 km West of Merseburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 12 45

Immediate family

Members
Byron G. Gary (father)
Helen W. (James) Gary (mother)
James A. Gary (brother)
Ruth Gary (sister)
Willard Gary (brother)
Harold Gary (brother)
Richard Gary (brother)
Janet Gary (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8080
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: The Saint
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna Oil Plant
MACR: 11131

More information

The aircraft rammed A/C 42-97407 after it was hit by flak over the target at 1318 hours. The entire crew was killed.

It was Capt Gary's 25th mission.


Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1920 Census / Osincup Family Tree / U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com - Patootie / 390th.org website