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name
MIKKELSEN, Delbert - Date of
birth
20 May 1917 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Bostwick, Nuckolls County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Alban, Nuckolls County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36022408 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
18 March 1943 - Place of
death
Seefeld, southwest of Bremerhaven, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 32 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Velhelm Mikkelsen (father)
Anna Mikkelsen (mother)
Kristen M. Mikkelsen (sister)
Jensine P. Mikkelsen (sister)
Krista A. Mikkelsen (sister)
Emma E. Mikkelsen (sister)
Viggo Mikkelsen (brother)
Johannes Mikkelsen (brother)
Ellen M. Mikkelsen (sister)
Selma K. Mikkelsen (sister)
Edith M. Mikkelsen (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24558 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Hunga-Dunga
Destination: Vegesack, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft - U-boats yards
MACR: 15149
More information
S/Sgt Delbert Mikkelsen worked in a metal factory.He enlisted at Camp Grant, Illinois on 7 October 1941.
The plane was hit by flak and attacked by enemy fighters.
The airplane was seen to go down slowly about 12 miles south of Bederkesa and was last seen in flames at about 7000 feet, 8 miles southsouthwest of Bremerhaven. Two parachutes were seen to come from this aircraft when it first started to descend and eight parachutes were open when the plane was last sighted.
Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, five were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, 303rdBomberGroup.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Chicago Daily News - 12 April 1943