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name
HELTON, Ed Jr - Date of
birth
1 September 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
McCreary County, Kentucky -
Hometown
McCreary County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15065402 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner/Toggler -
Unit
427th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 April 1944 - Place of
death
Near Hannover, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 18 | 5 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ed Helton (father)
Grace (Neal) Helton (mother)
Kenneth M. Helton (brother)
Hoyt M. Helton (brother)
Luther W. Helton (brother)
Stanley H. Helton (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-3158 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Max
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4471
More information
Ed Helton Jr. was a waiter.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Fort Thomas, Kentucky on 16 January 1941.
The airplane was hit by flak between the # 3 and #4 engines on the trailing edge and was smoking. It then straggled from the formation in the target area and was attacked by German fighters. It was seen to explode in the air.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Eight men were killed.
S/Sgt Helton had four brothers who were also in military service during WWII.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Faye Witt (niece), www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.303rdbg.com, www.footnote.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Birth Index / Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagreve.com, Gary Moncur - www.303rdbg.com