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name
ROONEY, George Wilbur "Bud" - Date of
birth
28 December 1920 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Glen cove, Nassau County, New York -
Hometown
Glen Cove, Nassau County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32425139 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 October 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, 60 miles north of the West-Frisian Islands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
George P. Rooney (father)
Anna (Baker) Rooney (mother)
Robert P. Rooney (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-7481 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Whiskers
Destination: Frisian Islands
Mission: Diversion
MACR: 892
More information
T/Sgt George W. Rooney was a photographic processor. He enlisted at Fort Jay, New York on 10 August 1942.The mission's objective was to deconcentrate German defenses, primarily fighter units, and draw them away from the main bomber routes across the continent.
The aircraft was last observed with at least one and possibly both wings torn off after a collision with an enemy fighter which had been badly damaged. The collision was followed by a violent explosion at about 10,000 feet of. No parachutes were observed as the aircraft disappeared into the clouds at 1026 hours.
It is also believed that, according to eyewitness statements, during the incident the aircraft also collided with another B-24 (42-7471) as it fell out of formation.
The entire crew of eleven men was killed. Nine are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. Michael Kvorjak and Carey Bratcher are remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge Cemetery.
Rooney Court, a street in his hometown, is named in his honor.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.B24.Net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card, 1925 New York State Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Glen Cove Public Library, Newsday - 17 September 1943