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name
STEELSMITH, Henry Arthur - Date of
birth
28 November 1920 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Adamsville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33274084 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
423rd Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 November 1943 - Place of
death
St. Nicolaasga, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Fred V. Steelsmith (father)
Jennie L. (Garvin) Steelsmith (mother)
Margaret L. Steelsmith (sister)
Bussie V. Steelsmith (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30603 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Las Vegas Avenger
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1329
More information
Henry Steelsmith was a chauffeur.He enlisted in Erie, Pennsylvania on 25 July 1942.
About 40 miles west of the target the pilot pulled his plane out of formation and dropped its wheels. The plane had two engines feathered because of mechanical problems and had its controls shot out in a pass by German fighters.
Six crew members survived ans were taken prisoner, four men were killed. They were first buried at the Dutch Reformed Churchyard of St. Nicolaasga.
He is remembered at the Shenango Valley Cemetery in Greenville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.306thbw.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Crotty Schneider Family Tree / Headstone and Interment Record, http://www.teunispats.nl/jack-edward-gibbs.htm#t3122
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.teunispats.nl