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name
ROSSBERG, Herbert Drumm - Date of
birth
4 July 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York -
Hometown
Camillus, Onondaga County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-804509 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
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 | 16 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Herbert B. Rossberg (father)
Catherine C. (Drumm) Rossberg (mother)
Rita Rossberg (sister)
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
The aircraft was attacked by German fighters and left the formation over Amiens, France at 1030 hours, five minutes after crossingthe 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.
Apparently Lt Rossberg bailed out but German soldiers told surviving crew members he didn't survive.
The Herbert D. Rossberg VFW Post #8664, in Camillus is named in his honor.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com MACR, www.ancestry.com, The Syracuse Herald Journal, 1940 Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, The Syracuse Herald Journal, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book PCB 43-D&E, www.ancestry.com - Lee McCain