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Personal info

Full name
MITCHELL, Howard Leo
Date of birth
1 February 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Grand Bay, Mobile County, Mississippi
Hometown
Bogue Chitto, Kemper and Neshoba County, Mississippi

Military service

Service number
O-821330
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
322nd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 December 1944
Place of death
Talge-Wilsten, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 12 46

Immediate family

Members
Ensign F. Mitchell (father)
Essie E. (Robertson) Mitchell (mother)
Eugene F. Mitchell (brother)
Harry V. Mitchell (brother)
Daphna I. Mitchell (sister)
Joseph C. Mitchell (brother)
Russel G. Mitchell (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38693
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of munitions and tank plants
MACR: 11333

More information

1st Lt Howard L. Mitchell graduated from Mississippi State College in 1942.

The aircraft was hit by flak.

Statement of Jess V. Ziccarello, Flight Officer:
"About one-half hour after we left the target I heard over command that aircraft 43-38693 had three engines feathered. He said at this time that he did not think he would be able to reach England. I was told by another Navigator that the approximate position of aircraft 43-38693, when last heard from, was 100 miles from the allied lines. Six parachutes were seen from subject A/C after it first left formation at 5236 N - 1315E. The altitude of the A/C was 24,000 feet but the interval between jumps could not be estimated."

1st Lt Howard L. Mitchell was first buried at the POW Cemetery at Lingen, Germany.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Various Family Trees, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com/db/index/php, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: FOHF, Mississippi State College 1942