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name
HUMMEL, Harry Frederick - Date of
birth
11 May 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-760852 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
332nd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 November 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Lewis A. Hummel (father)
Edna M. (Stitzinger) Hummel (mother)
Louis G. Hummel (sister)
Harold E. Hummel (brother)
Carolyn J. Hummel (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38165 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: St. Christopher Kids
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Rheunania Ossag oil refinery
MACR: 10305
More information
1st Lt Harry F. Hummel enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 10 June 1942 a few days after graduation from Rocky Grove High School where he was the manager of the basketball team.He completed his primary and basic training in King City, California and Chico Army Flying School, California. He graduated from the Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School in Yuma, Arizona and was commissioned in November 1943 and was commissioned a second lieutenant on 5 December 1943.
Two engines were hit and damaged by flak. According to the last word received from the crew, they were heading towards Holland and had decided to abandon the plane in the North Sea and await an Air Rescue. No further communication was received.
The entire crew of nine men was killed.
Official Statement of Thomas C.S. Houser, 2nd Lt, Air Corps:
"This aircraft was last seen with two engines out on 4 November 1944 at 53˚52'N - 07˚00'E at 1322 hours. At 1342 hours it was reported that he was calling for Air Sea Resque at 53˚48'N - 05˚40'E. Reports over VHF stated that he would try to make Holland but then decided to ditch. No further confirmed reports were received from this aircraft and therefore it is not known whether it ditched or made a landing safely."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.usaafdata.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - The News-Herald 9 December 1943, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Ken Bacher (nephew), Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-K Chico AAF California