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name
HIGGINS, Eugene Elmer - Date of
birth
30 November 1914 -
Age
29 -
Place of birth
Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36273563 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Assistant Top Turret Gunner/Radio Operator -
Unit
713th Bombardment Squadron,
448th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 January 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Neumünster, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 37 | 31 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Elmer Higgins (father)
Helen Higgins (mother)
Doris Higgins (sister)
Jack Higgins (brother)
Jack Higgins (brother)
Doris Higgins (sister)
Genevieve Higgins (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-7712 -
Data
Type: B24H
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of Krupp Germaniawerft U-boat yards
MACR: 2514
More information
Sergeant Eugene E Higgins was employed by Schlitz Brewing Co. before he enlisted on 10 October 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.The aircraft was hit by a direct flak hit and exploded in the air not long after it was hit.
Three crew members survived because they were blown out of the aircraft.
"It is believed that the Navigator, Co-Pilot and myself made a succesfull parachute jump because we all had on Back type chutes that day, whereas the others had on chest packs and were unable to put them on in time".
Statement of Captain James E Curtis:
"Co-Pilot saw him in the Radio room, trying to put the fire out".
Statement of Lieutenant Donald Clift:
He was first buried on 7 January 1944 in the Northern Cemetery, Glueckstadt.
Source of information: Daisy Koch, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Enlistment Record,
www.fold3.com, MARC, www.8thafhs.com/db/index.php, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Milwaukee Journal - 13 February 1944