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Personal info

Full name
HASTINGS, Kenneth Staunton
Date of birth
18 April 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Worcester County, Massachusetts

Military service

Service number
O-764011
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
603rd Bombardment Squadron,
398th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
21 November 1944
Place of death
Mosbach, near Eisenach, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
F 8 26

Immediate family

Members
Fred E. Hastings (father)
Marcia S. Hastings (mother)
Fred E. Hastings (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-8348
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Operational Bombing
MACR: 10412

More information

1st Lt Kenneth S. Hastings enlisted in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on 24 September 1942.
A/C 43-8348 was attacked by enemy fighters. The aircraft was seen with #1 engine feathered and with #2 stopped but not feathered. The ship remained under control while five of the men jumped clear, then fell a couple of thousand feet before levelling out again and four more bodies clearing the plane.
All crew members except for 1st Lt Hastings surived.

Source of information: Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.archives.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / Massachusetts Birth Index / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Laura Phillips / Tim Farnham