Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
PAPLASKAS, Albert Francis
Date of birth
26 May 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Methuen, Essex County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Methuen, Essex County, Massachusetts

Military service

Service number
11087519
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
527th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 February 1944
Place of death
Air base of Roye-Amy, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 12 4

Immediate family

Members
Benedict Paplaskas (father)
Veronica Paplaskas (mother)
William Paplaskas (brother)
Mildred Paplaskas (sister)
Aldona Paplaskas (sister)
Alphonse Paplaskas (brother)
Raymond Paplaskas (brother)
Paul Paplaskas (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39782
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Pistol Packin Mama
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the engine component plant
MACR: 2880

More information

S/Sgt Albert F. Paplaskas attended Searles High School and worked in a machine shop.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States on 17 August 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The aircraft was attacked by German fighters and left the formation over Amiens, France at 1030 hours, five minutes after crossing the coast of France. The nose and co-pilot´s compartment were blow away and the left wing got fire.

Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner, one members evaded capture. Three men were killed. They were initially buried at the WWI English Military Cemetery of Roye, France.

S/Sgt Paplaskas bailed out through the escape hatch and accordind to surviving crew members, was killed while attacked by FW190´s in the air.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com MACR, www.ancestry.com - Enlistment Record, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com, honorstates.org