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name
PRYME, Gerald A - Date of
birth
1 November 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Hope Valley, Washington County, Rhode Island
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13054343 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
711th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 November 1944 - Place of
death
1 mile south of Gross Mimmelage near Quakenbruck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 | 29 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert Prime (father)
Nola M. (Oaks) Prime (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6571 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 10312
More information
S/Sgt Gerald A. Pryme was a mechanic.He joined the Army in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 25 February 1942.
The aircraft was struck by aircraft 44-6511 coming from the high section in the same squadron, just having lost an engine. It collided with 44-6571 and cut it in two at midship when #1 and #2 engine caught it aft of radio room. It went down immediately.
Eight crew members were killed, one survived and was taken prisoner.
Sgt Pryme was initially buried at the cemetery of Quakenbruck, Germany on 4 November 1944. When his remains were discovered in September 1948, Sgt Pryme was initially designated as Unknown X-7846. After arrival at Ardennes, the remains were identified.
Airplane 44-6511 was able to crash land at the Advanced Landing Ground A-93 in Bierset-Liège, Belgium with no casualties.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Timothée Mignot