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Submit- Full
name
ADAMS, Ara J - Date of
birth
2 February 1922 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Arlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Arlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-2000376 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator/Bombardier -
Unit
713th Bombardment Squadron,
448th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
5 April 1945 - Place of
death
Kyritz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Jacob H. Adams (father)
Paris (Fereshetian) Adams (mother)
John J. Adams (brother)
Arsham J. Adams (brother)
Edwin J. Adams (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95298 -
Data
Nickname: Trouble n' Mind
Type: B-24H
Destination: Wesendorf, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 13731
More information
1st Lt Ara J. Adams attended college before he enlisted on 3 August 1942.A flak burst in the cockpit of the aircraft caused damage to the oxygen lines and communications cables. Fire, fed by the oxygen lines, consumed the cockpit. The aircraft started a shallow dive that gradually increased until it entered a spin. Although stunned by the attack Lt Ara Adams helped Sgt Jack Garrity, the nose turret gunner, out of the nose turret and both jumped out through the nose wheel doors. That was the last time anyone saw Lt Adams.
The aircraft finally crashed near the village of Krullenkempe narrowly missing the houses.
The crew members who were killed in this crash are listed as KIA or MIA on 5 April 1945. Research reveals that the mission took place on 4 April.
His brother 1st Lt Arsham J Adams was also killed in WWII in September 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.findagrave.com - Paul S, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census
Photo source: Wendy Lensink, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bomb Class Book 43-16 Midland AAF Texas