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name
MUSKRAT, Harvey Robert - Date of
birth
14 December 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Dallas, Texas -
Hometown
Benton County, Oregon
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-466591 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 January 1945 - Place of
death
Schwerte, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 7 | 52 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harvey R. Muskrat (father)
Jean E. Muskrat (mother)
Jane Maskrat (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50558 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Miss America
Destination: Dortmund, Germany
MACR: 11988
More information
1st Lt Harvey R. Muskrat graduated from Chiloquin High School in 1940 where he was outstanding in athletics. He attended Oregon State College.He enlisted on 1 June 1942 and transferred to the Air Corps in December 1943. He received his wings at Ellington Field, Texas on 1 July 1944.
He was sent overseas in October 1944.
Just after bombs away, saw aircraft 42-50558 hit by flak which knocked the right wing tip off. The aircraft went up on its back and then went into a flat spin. The right wing caught on fire and the bomb bay doors fell off. We observed two chutes emerge from the aircraft, when last sighted, the aircraft was under control.
Bailed out, but slipped out of his chute and fell to dead, he was found near the plane.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Birth Certificate / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.newspapers.com, www.389thbombgroup.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, They Speak-The Voices of Henri-Chapelle, www.ancestry.com - Oregon State College Yearbook 1941, www.newspapers.com, Oregon State University Gold Star Project