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Personal info

Full name
KEENE, Leon Mortimer Jr
Date of birth
21 December 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
O-780619
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
365th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
10 April 1945
Place of death
Klein Gottschow, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 7 29

Immediate family

Members
Leon M. Keene (father)
Jane A. Keene (mother)
Charles A. Keene (brother)
Vioran D. Keene (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-6593
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Oranienburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of Army HQ and airfield
MACR: 13876

More information

2nd Lt Leon M. Keene, Jr, graduated from San Fernando High School in 1937 and worked in an aircraft factory.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Los Angeles, California on 29 September 1942.

The airplane collided with A/C 43-38803 while making S-turns to lose time. A/C 44-6593 was cut in two, the tail broke off and disintegrated. Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Six men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / WWII Draft Card, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Class book for advanced pilot class 44-F at Pecos Army Air Field, Pecos, Texas, San Fernando High School, 1937