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name
SWANSON, Earle A - Date of
birth
18 April 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16078837 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
5 June 1944 - Place of
death
Boulogne, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Arthur C. Swanson (father)
Jessie Swanson (mother)
Ruth Swanson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40243 -
Data
Type: B-24 J
MACR: 5633
More information
Sgt Earle A. Swanson graduated from Harper High School in 1939. He was employed at Goodman Manufacturing Company.He volunteered for the Army Reserve on 9 June 1942 in Chicago, Illinois.
Confidential Statement
"On Aircraft M 44-40243 5 June 1944
I was flying with Lt Sharp on aircraft F 44-40226 as left waist gunner. M 44-40243 was hit by flak just after we passed the target. The plane appeared to blow up just before it hit land or water. I was at the left waist window and the plane was practically at a right angle when it exploded. The number 1 engine feathered and gas was streaming out between number 1 and number 2 engines.
Two men seemed to have come out of the plane, but I saw one chute open." - Warren H Rudolph
Source of information: Dennis and Gerda Hermsen, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, Missing Aircrew Report 5633, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Dennis and Gerda Hermsen, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbooks - William Rainey Harper High School 1939