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name
RUTLEDGE, James Charles - Date of
birth
11 February 1912 -
Age
32 - Place of
birth
Pine Bluffs, Laramie County, Wyoming -
Hometown
Hayward, Alameda County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39033655 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
615th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 September 1944 - Place of
death
Merseburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 4 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Fred Rutledge (father)
Eliza F. Rutledge (mother)
Agnes V. Rutledge (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31091 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Maggie
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 8920
More information
James Rutledge enlisted in San Francisco, California, on 30 November 1942.According to crew members of other airplanes in the group, the aircraft's hydraulic system was on fire due to flak hits. It turned out of the formation, but because of intense flak and the fact that they were on the bomb run, additional observations were not possible.
According to the pilot, who survived, flak hit the cockpit area. The interphone and radio were destroyed, and the oxygen system exploded, filling the cockpit with flames so intense that the aluminium skin was burning. This obscured all vision.
Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner; five men were killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, 1920/1930 Census, www.401bg.org, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Andy Swinnen, Arie-Jan van Hees - www.Newspapers.com - Daily Review Hayward California