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name
SPELLMAN, Graydon Wilder - Date of
birth
26 July 1908 -
Age
34 - Place of
birth
Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut -
Hometown
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31095607 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
336th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 June 1943 - Place of
death
West of Kiel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 23 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William J. Spellman (father)
Hazel Spellman (mother)
Shirley Spellman (sister)
Mary E. Spellman (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3286 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Sweet Seventeen
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boats yards
MACR: 616
More information
"B-17F, 42-3286, piloted by 1st Lt Austin V. Stone, was lost west of Kiel, Germany on the way out from the target. 1st Lt Austin V. Stone was flying #3 of the high element of the composite group but was never reported as having been seen leaving the formation. On this mission a great deal of enemy oppsition was encountered, ten aircraft being lost in all from this group. It is understandable that the crews returned unable to give any information concerning this missing aircraft."- Statement from David E. Olsson, Captain, Air Corps, Asst. Operations Officer.
The entire crew was killed.
T/Sgt Graydon W. Spellman was initially buried at the Garnison Cemetery of Kiel on 28 July 1943.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1920 Census / Headstone and Interment Record, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Patootie