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name
POULSEN, Leonard Irvin - Date of
birth
19 April 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Piper, Wyandotte County, Kansas -
Hometown
Toganoxie, Leavenworth County, Kansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37533708 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Toggler -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| B | 32 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Christian Poulsen (father)
Laura Poulsen (mother)
Virginia Poulsen (sister)
Marie Poulsen (sister)
Helen Poulsen (sister)
Evelyn Poulsen (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-39164 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the rail traffic center
MACR: 13850
More information
S/Sgt Leonard I. Poulsen graduated from Tonganoxie Rural High School in 1940. He was employed by the Turgeron Flying Service in Lockport, Illinois.He enlisted in July 1943 and was sent overseas in October 1944.
The airplane collided with B-17 #43-38801 just after they left the target area.
It peeled off to the right, the #3 engine fell out, and #4 was on fire. It went into a spin and fell apart.
Three crew members were taken prisoner, and five men were killed.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.384thbombgroup.com, WWII Draft Card, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Tonganoxie Mirror - 19 July 1945