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Submit- Full
name
MOFFITT, Richard Carlisle - Date of
birth
6 February 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio -
Hometown
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-732886 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
558th Bombardment Squadron,
387th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
12 April 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, near Dunkirk, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
John M. Moffitt (father)
Wayne Moffitt (brother)
Jack Moffitt (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-107581 -
Data
Type: B-26-C45
Nickname: Black Jack
Destination: Dunkirk, France
Mission: Operational
MACR 3745
More information
Capt Richard C. Moffitt graduated from West Tech High School. He was employed by Astrup Awning Co.He entered the Army in 1942. He was sent overseas in June, 1943.
I was along as cameraman in Lt Felker´s ship. We had just finished our bomb run, and I was at the left waist gun window when I first saw the lead ship going down in a dive. The right wing had come off and the plane was spinning down. I kept the falling plane in my camera. The tail came off three seconds after I spotted the falling ship. Only one chute was seen to open by the camera. The plane was seen to crash about a half mile outside of the harbor. The chute was last seen going inland directly over the target.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com Enlistment Record MACR 3745, Ohio Birth Index 1908-1964, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: FOHF, Cleveland Plain Dealer - 1 September 1943