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Submit- Full
name
GELLIS, Leon - Date of
birth
23 September 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut -
Hometown
Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31104882 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
12 April 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, 70 miles east off the coast of Dunkirk, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Benjamin Gellis (father)
Minnie Gellis (mother)
Joseph Gellis (brother)
Jean Gellis (sister)
Sidney Gellis (brother)
Pearl Gellis (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-109789 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Mairzy Doats
Destination: Zwickau, Germany
MACR: 4379
More information
Aircraft No. B-24, 42-109789 was hit by flak 70 miles east of Dunkirk at 1246 hours hydraulic and intherphone systems were knocked out. More flak was encountered over Dunkirk upon return and Sgt Fleege and Sgt Gellis jumped. Crew members report both parachutes opening and believe that both landed safely on the beach at Dunkirk, though the possibility remains that they landed in the water just off shore. A German casualty report #KU2666 reported the finding of Sgt Fleege's body, washed ashore near Ostend on 14 April, and was identified by dog tags. No report was given for the other member, Sgt Gellis.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Jewish Servicemen Cards / 1930 Census / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com