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Personal info

Full name
FAHNERT, Clarence Clay
Date of birth
16 July 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Lyons, Burleson County, Texas
Hometown
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Military service

Service number
38453245
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
23 March 1944
Place of death
Schijndelsedijk, Boxtel
Near Schijndel, northeast of Boxtel, the Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
D 17 31

Immediate family

Members
Henry H. Fahnert (father)
Mattie A. (Gafke) Fahnert (mother)
Agnes C. Fahnert (sister)
Ima C. Fahnert (sister)
Henry E. Fahnert (brother)
Magdalene Fahnert (sister)
Augusta M. Fahnert (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39908
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 3321

More information

S/Sgt Clarence C. Fahnert worked for the C.H. Ruebeck Contractor Company in Waco, Texas.

The plane was jumped by four enemy fighters, falling off into a dive, and it was apparently out of control. It burst into flames and disintegrated.

It is also believed that the plane was downed by flak.
A German report stated that S/Sgt Fahnert was taken prisoner. It is assumed he died the same day. The exact circumstances are unknown.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, http://www.ancestry.com - Family Trees / 1930/1940 Census, http://www.8thafhs.com, www.defensie.nl, www.bhic.nl, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Sandra Stacey