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name
THOMAS, Laurence Washington - Date of
birth
22 February 1908 -
Age
36 - Place of
birth
Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19081002 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
20 December 1944 - Place of
death
English Channel, off the coast of Dieppe
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
George H. Thomas (father)
Neosho H. (Obetz) Thomas (mother)
George H. Thomas (brother)
Ruth E. Thomas (sister)
Clinton E. Thomas (brother)
Abner A. Thomas (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24566 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Zombie
Destination: Romilly-sur-Seine, France
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 15708
More information
S/Sgt Laurence W. Thomas worked in an aircraft factory.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California on 11 March 1942.
On the way back, the airplane was attacked by enemy fighters. It ditsched in the English Channel, off the coast of Dieppe, France.
The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.303rdbg.com, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com