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name
SWANSON, Arthur Walter "Art" - Date of
birth
19 January 1913 -
Age
31 - Place of
birth
Goodrich, Hickman County, Tennessee -
Hometown
Roselle Park, Union County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32566314 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Assistant Engineer/Waist Gunner -
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
21 February 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, probably some 40 miles off the coast of Alkmaar, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles Swanson (father)
Irma Swanson (mother)
Margaret Swanson (sister)
Ralph Swanson (brother)
Oscar Swanson (brother)
Esther Swanson (sister)
Ida Swanson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-64435 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Vorden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 2563
More information
S/Sgt Arthur W. Swanson was a machine operator before he enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 19 October 1942.The airplane was hit by flak. According to eye-witness statements of crew members of other airplanes in the group, the #3 engine of the airplane was on fire after which a large explosion was observed beneath the airplane. After this explosion the aircraft was observed to be going down, out of control, and headed back towards the Dutch coast. It was subsequently concluded that the airplane had gone down in the waters off the enemy coast as no information was ever recovered on this situation, either in enemy or friendly force reporting.
The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com