Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
PAYTON, Howard Sephus - Date of
birth
4 January 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Dubois, Dubois County, Indiana -
Hometown
West Baden Springs, Orange County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35493395 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
360th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
20 December 1944 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 11 | 19 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William H. Payton (father)
Mary Payton (mother)
Claude Payton (brother)
Ralph Payton (brother)
Arnold Payton (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5483 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Red Ass
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1656
More information
Sgt Howard S. Payton enlisted in the US Army at Louisville, Kentucky on 14 September 1942.The mission took place on 29 November 1943.
The aircraft had engine and supercharger problems over the target. A ME-210 fighter fired 20 mm shells into the cockpit and nose area, wounding the navigator and killing the bombardier.
Seven crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner. Three men were killed.
Sgt Payton was wounded when he bailed out. He was taken prisoner and died on 20 December 1944 of illness. The exact cause and location are not known.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Footnote.com, NARA, 303rdbg.com
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Gary Moncur, www.303rdBG.com, http://www.honorstates.org