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name
ANDERSON, James R - Date of
birth
25 April 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Montgomery, Franklin County, Vermont -
Hometown
Springfield, Windsor County, Vermont
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11038421 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
9 October 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, northwest of Heligoland, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30377 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Roger The Lodger II
Destination: Marienburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Focke-Wulf aviation plant
MACR: 850
More information
James Anderson was an electrican, employed by Vermont Foundries, Inc.The airplane was last seen on the return trip from the target at 1600 with the #2 engine on fire caused by enemy fighters. Soon, the #3 engine was on fire. The airplane exploded in mid-air. Seven parachutes were seen, of which two were on fire.
The entire crew was either killed in the plane or drowned.
One other crew member, Grant E. Allen, is also remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. The other crew members are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at the American Military Cemetery of Cambridge.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.95thbg.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Franky Meers, Robbe Meers