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Personal info

Full name
WRIGHT, Eugene Earl
Date of birth
2 April 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Perry, Noble County, Oklahoma
Hometown
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

Military service

Service number
35763967
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
367th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

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
I 7 10

Immediate family

Members
Harry E. Wright (father)
Edith M. Wright (mother)
Willard C. Wright (brother)
Edna M. Wright (sister)
Edith Wright (sister)
Virginia Wright (sister)
Harry Wright (brother)
Thurman C. Wright (brother)
Margaret Wright (wife)

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

S/Sgt Eugene E. Wright worked in a machine shop.

He enlisted at Camp Perry, Ohio on 14 November 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, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.findagrave.com - TxOma, www.fold3.com - MACR

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