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name
BRUNSON, Wade Travis - Date of
birth
17 February 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
O'Donnell, Lynn County, Texas -
Hometown
Travis County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38555031 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
615th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 February 1945 - Place of
death
Colenbrander Forest
Hardenberg, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 10 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William I. Brunson (father)
Annie E. (Perkins) Brunson (mother)
Hazel Brunson (sister)
Alma P. Brunson (sister)
Marguerite L. Brunson (sister)
William I. Brunson Jr. (brother)
Donald R. Brunson (brother)
Kenneth Brunson (brother)
Myra Brunson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97869 -
Data
Type : B-17G
Nickname : Maid to Order
Destination: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Mission: Bombing the Nordstern benzol plant
MACR : 12444
More information
S/Sgt Wade T. Brunson enlisted at Fort Houston, Texas on 30 July 1943.The aircraft was hit by flak. The right wing was afire and smoking badly. The fire was inside the wing but the plane was under control.
Seven men were definitely seen to get out, all doing delayed jumps.
The plane exploded before S/Sgt Brunson was able to get out.
Two crew members were killed, seven survived and were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold.com - MACR
Photo source: Andy Swinnen