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Personal info

Full name
SCHMALENBACH, Paul Joseph
Date of birth
31 January 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-663573
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
25 June 1943
Place of death
North Sea, 12 miles north of Wangerooge Island, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Herman J. Schmalenbach (father)
Anna Schmalenbach (mother)
Helen Schmalenbach (sister)
Ruth Schmalenbach (sister)
Lillian Schmalenbach (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-300381
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Bar Fly
Destination: Bremen, Germany
MACR: 270

More information

1st Lt Paul J. Schmalenbach graduated from Temple University in 1941 and was a chemist before he volunteered for the Air Corps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 18 December 1941. He received his wings at Kelly Field, Texas in September 1942.

The primary target was Bremen but due to cloud cover, a ship convoi was attacked as target of opportunity.

The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighter and had to ditch. Six crew members were killed and went down with the aircraft. Four crew members were taken prisoner.

Souce of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.100thbg.com, National WWIImemorial, www.fold3.com - MACR / WWII Draft Card, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, www.newspapers.com - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.100thbg.com, www.newspapers.com - The Philadelphia Inquirer, Wilma Sijen