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Personal info

Full name
KRUGER, Charles "Sonny"
Date of birth
10 August 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York

Military service

Service number
32649965
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
533rd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
24 May 1944
Place of death
Melchow, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 5 57

Immediate family

Members
Abe Kruger (father)
Florence Kruger (mother)
George Kruger (brother)
Anna Kruger (sister)
Shirley Kruger (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31698
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 5319

More information

Sgt Charles Kruger enlisted in New York City, New York on 30 November 1942.

B-17 #42-31698 was crippled by enemy fire during the first fighter attack. The right wing broke off and as it went down, collided with B-17 #42-97214. Both airplane exploded.

Of this B-17 two crew members were taken prisoner, seven men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1925 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Jac Engels, Sonny Maxon (nephew)