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Personal info

Full name
KELLS, Walter E
Date of birth
6 January 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, New York
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, New York

Military service

Service number
32535142
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
369th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
3 February 1944
Place of death
Near Ruteplate, south of Langeoog, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Edward W. Kells (father)
Rose Kells (mother)
Genevieve R. (Kells) Knapp (sister)
Gerard Kells (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31056
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 2494

More information

Walter E. Kells graduated from Eresmus High School.

He enlisted in New York City, New York on 20 October 1942

He was sent to England in November 1943. His brother, S/Sgt Gerard Kells, served with the Army Air Force in New Guinea.

The aircraft was hit by flak and crashed on a sandbank, names Ruteplate, between Bensersiel and Langeoog Isle, Germany.

Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, three men were killed.

Documents

Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment record, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Kells Family Tree, www.newspapers.com - Bernardsville News

Photo source: André Koch, www.newspapers.com - Bernardsville News