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name
TUCKER, Levi Richard - Date of
birth
6 January 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Hunter, Woodruff County, Arkansas -
Hometown
Fresno, Fresno County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39693509 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1944 - Place of
death
Between Hankenbüttel and Oerrel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 19 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Bessie M. Tucker (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37959 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Esky
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 3317
More information
Levi Tucker was a mechanic before he enlisted in Fresno, California on 8 February 1943.The airplane was attacked by two enemy fighters after the escorting fighters were diverted. It banked away from the formation with its #2 engine on fire, then it went into a dive. The airplane was disintegrating as it entered the undercast.
According to surviving crew members, Sgt Tucker was killed during the fighter attacks.
Four crew members were taken prisoner, and six men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Hankenbüttel.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, Fresno Bee Republican - 7 May 1944, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Fresno Bee Republican - 7 May 1944