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name
BROADDUS, Howard C - Date of
birth
unknown -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
unknown -
Hometown
Contra Costa County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38563567 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 January 1945 - Place of
death
Brussels, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 11 | 69 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joe Broaddus (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-37988 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: The B.T.O.
Destination: Cologne, Germany
Mission: Bombing of transport installations
MACR: 988
More information
"The B.T.O.", flying on our right wing was unable to drop on the target and held onto her bombs. Shortly after leaving the target, "B.T.O." experienced engine failure. Unable to maintain flying speed, the pilot, 2nd Lt John Martin had to put her down at Evere Airfield, B-58, at Brussels. Visibility was also extremely poor over Belgium and he overshot the runway, hit a C-47 and careened into a hanger. In the ensuing fire the bombs exploded, destroying "The B.T.O.", the hanger and several British aircraft. The ball turret and tail gunners, S/Sgt Woodrow R. Cornett and S/Sgt Howard C. Broaddus, were killed in the landing.Three crew members were killed, six survived the crash.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet