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Personal info

Full name
RICHARDSON, Thomas Luther
Date of birth
4 November 1920
Age
22
Place of birth
New Lisbon, Stoddard County, Missouri
Hometown
Stoddard County, Missouri

Military service

Service number
37383358
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
360th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
2 October 1943
Place of death
North Sea, off the coast of Denmark

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Luther R. Richardson (father)
Eva J. (Travers) Richardson (mother)
Murray E.P. Richardson (brother)
Laura C. Richardson (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-5260
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Yardbird II
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 738

Biography

www.303rdbg.com/303tippet.html

More information

T/Sgt Thomas L. Richardson worked in a sawmill before he enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missourion 4 September 1942.

The aircraft was hit by gunfire from two ME-109's immediately after the formation left the target. The ship peeled off, went down out of control, and exploded above the overcast. One parachute was observed coming out it went out of sight.

In addition to the crew of ten, a photographer, Carney C. Rhodes Jr., was on board. All were killed. Only the body of Hugh F. Gigney Jr. was recovered when it washed ashore at Esbjerg, whre he was initally buried on 3 December 1942. He is now interred at Ardennes Cemetery.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Travers Family Tree

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 303rd Bomb Group, http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=183976