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name
SCHMITT, Eugene F - Date of
birth
1919 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Illinois -
Hometown
Galva, Henry County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16016476 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
710th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 February 1944 - Place of
death
Rambures, 27 km northwest of Poix de la Somme, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Conrad Schmitt (father)
Louisa R. Schmitt (mother)
Eunice Schmitt (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31160 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: France
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 2532
More information
S/Sgt Eugene F. Schmitt graduated from Galva High School in 1936.The aircraft was hit at 11,500 feet by a direct burst of flak between the bomb bay door and pilot's compartment at 1532 hrs and 4955N-0148E. The aircraft caught fire, the tail broke off and spun into the ground, and exploded. No chutes were seen. Of the 10 crew members, only the Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Kenneth J. McIntyre, survived. All bodies were burned inside the plane and buried in the French Cemetery of Poix de la Somme on 13 February 1944. T/Sgt Eugene F. Schmitt and 2nd Lt James S. Tyson were buried as unknown but later identified.
Source of information: FOHF, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, MACR, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940/1920 US Census
Photo source: FOHF, Galva High School 1936