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Personal info

Full name
DRABNIS, Alfred "Alfie"
Date of birth
19 December 1918
Age
24
Place of birth
Middleport, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Middleport, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
T-000072
Rank
Flight Officer
Function
Pilot
Unit
339th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 September 1943
Place of death
Near Wirdum, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 18 14

Immediate family

Members
Jonas W. Drabnis (father)
Eva (Moliusyte) Drabnis (mother)
Albert Drabnis (brother)
Mary Drabnis (sister)
Vincent Drabnis (brother)
Emelia Drabnis (sister)
John Drabnis (brother)
Helen Drabnis (sister)
Joseph A. Drabnis (brother)
Thomas A. Drabnis (brother)
Violet Drabnis (sister)
Clement A. Drabnis (brother)
Edward P. Drabnis (brother)
Florence C. Drabnis (sister)
Victor Drabnis (brother)
Anthony Drabnis (brother)
Stephina J. (Welgo) Drabnis (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30792
Data
Type: B-17
Nickname: Daisy June IV
Destination: Submarine Pens Emden, Germany
MACR: 756

More information

Alfred Drabnis was flying his 25th and final mission of his tour. He was leading the low squadron of the low group. After completing the bomb run, the aircraft was attacked by several German FW-190 fighters. A 20 mm cannon shell from one of the fighters hit the nose of the Daisy June IV, blowing it off of the aircraft. Killing the navigator. Two additional 20 mm rounds hit the plane with one killing Alfred Drabnis by exploding in his face. The other round had blown the left leg off of the bombardier. The order to bail out of the plane could not been given because the interphone had been shot out. Some way or another the rest of the crew bailed out over Germany. The Germans recovered the remains of Alfred Drabnis and the navigator Lieutenant Leonard and buried them at the Military Cemetery in Wittmund, Germany on 30th September 1943.

He is remembered at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Alfred is one of the three brothers killed in action. His brother Edward is buried in Epinal American Cemetery in France. His other brother Clement is buried in Cambridge American Cemetery in England.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, WWIIMemorial.com, Footnote.com - MACR, Tohonorourfallen.com, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / Davis Weicicoskie Tree

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.ancestry.com - Rebecca