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Personal info

Full name
SAMBANIS, George
Date of birth
4 May 1918
Age
25
Place of birth
Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island
Hometown
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island

Military service

Service number
31181659
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
576th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 December 1943
Place of death
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
O 20 1

Immediate family

Members
Steven Sambanis (father)
Mary (Senecal) Sambanis (mother)
Ethel M. Sambanis (sister)
Bella Sambanis (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-7500
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Sky Queen
Destination: Bremen, Germany
MACR: 1734

More information

In the report Lt Lopresto noted that the entire formation had come under intense enemy fighter attack at the initial point for the bomb run which lasted all through the target and afterwards. His ship took numerous flak hits over the target, and again fighter gun fire after the target. Aircraft damage was so grave then that he ordered abandon ship at an altitude of about 21,000 feet.
Sambanis were reported by the Germans as found dead, but were listed as "unknown" in identity. He were interred on 20 December near Lebenstedt at Army Station Cemetery Wessermunde-Geestermunde Germany in Section III, Field K, Row 1, Grave I.

Sgt George Sambanis is remembered at North Burial Ground, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: Peter Schouteten / Melissa Bailey, Marie (Wilkicki) Bailey (niece)