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name
GIDDENS, Daniel Rupert - Date of
birth
24 November 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Stephens County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38370451 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
336th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 March 1944 - Place of
death
Theolstedt near Colnrade, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 14 | 43 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry R. Giddens (father)
Ida E. (Johnson) Giddens (mother)
David H. Giddens (brother)
Charlene G. (Haney) Giddens (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-38024 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 2984
More information
The airplane was hit by flak in the target area. The #3 engine caught on fire, and the pilot put the ship in a steep dive. They pulled out far below. Surviving crew member reports indicate the aircraft was under constant attack by 3 enemy fighters for about 15 minutes after being knocked from formation. When the ship was hit badly, the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. Nine crew members bailed out and were take prisoner.It is believed that Daniel R. Giddens was killed in the attacks.
Statement by surviving right waist gunner:
"Since I was right waist gunner, I had access to and a close view of the ball turret. With all the huge holes in and around the turret, I assumed he was dead. I tried to establish contact with him by interphone and a series of knocking sounds with a wrench, but was unsuccessful."
Source of information: Luc van der Sterren, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - e1 Family Tree
Photo source: Jac Engels, Daniel Bon