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Personal info

Full name
LAURA, Anthony John
Date of birth
24 June 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
New York City, New York
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York

Military service

Service number
O-741192
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier/Nose Gunner
Unit
367th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 May 1944
Place of death
Darp, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
H 8 6

Immediate family

Members
Antony F. Laura (father)
Antonina (Patti) Laura (mother)
Anna Laura (sister)
Rosario S. Laura (brother)
Charles Laura (brother)
Joseph Laura ( brother)
Andrew A. Laura (brother)
Carmel Laura (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97259
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Our Baby
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4554

More information

Anthony Laura attended college.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in New York City, New York on 7 April 1942.

Due to engine trouble, the pilot tried to make an emergency landing at the German airfield at Havelte, but three three flak guns around the airfield ignored the SOS signal (wheels down) of the plane and did fire at the B-17 not allowing it to land safely. As a result it crashed. Immediately the entire airplane was on fire. The entire crew of ten men was killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com - TxOma, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Patti Family Tree / 1940 Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet / TxOma