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name
HUMPHREY, Paul Thompson - Date of
birth
21 December 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
New York -
Hometown
Fairport, Monroe County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32143452 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 May 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Hartmannshain, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 6 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Maxwell N. Humphrey (father)
Ruth A. Humphrey (mother)
Margaret W. Humprey (sister)
Mary H. (Jaruzel) Humphrey (sister)
Ruth A. Humphrey (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31718 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Brux, (Most) Czechoslovakia
MACR: 4857
More information
T/Sgt Paul T. Humphrey enlisted in Rochester, New York on 10 August 1942. He attended Fairport High School in Fairport, New York.According to report of Burgomaster, the plane was forced downwards by three fighters, hits in fuselage, fin by flak shell fragments, as wel as 3 cm and 2 cm guns , the aircraft landed on grass, was set on fire by crew. 8 POW 2 KIA
According to letters from the waist gunner on the flying fortress B-17, S/Sgt Glenn H. Lewis, Paul was manning his machine gun and he was "really poring the lead into the Jerries". When he looked back Paul was slumped to the floor. He was killed instantly by enemy fighter fire. He died in the air. Hartmanshain is where the plane landed after being forced down. Paul was listed as missing in action for along time untill the other crew were released from being POW.
Source of information: André Koch, Catherine Simmonds (niece), www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com,
www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Des Philippet, Catherine Simmonds, Jonathan Simmonds