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name
BERGERON, Arthur Aime - Date of
birth
1 September 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island -
Hometown
Pawtucket Ward 5, Providence County, Rhode Island
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-822890 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 October 1944 - Place of
death
Frechen, southwest of Cologne, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 19 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Napoleon Bergeron (father)
Olivine Bergeron (mother)
Alice R. Bergeron (sister)
Eva B. Bergeron (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38604 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Cologne, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Eifeltor marschalling yard
Macr: 9472
More information
The mission was flown on 15 October. According to several documents in the MACR, the date of death of all the deceased crew members was on that day. According to a newspaper article in the Charlotte Observer of 13 February 1945, Lt Gaines died of his wounds on 16 October.The airplane was lost after being hit by flak over the target. It received a direct hit between engines #1 and #2. It caught fire and flames enveloped the entire wing. The B-17 started down, made a complete turn, losing altitude as it did so, went down in a steep dive and blew up at about 10,000 feet. Eight crew members were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Gary Moncur, www.303rdBG.com