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name
ABBATIELLO, Gaetano Clement "Tommy" - Date of
birth
2 January 1915 -
Age
29 - Place of
birth
Yonkers, Westchester County, New York -
Hometown
Yonkers, Westchester County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32110918 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
368th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 May 1944 - Place of
death
Perleberger Brücke
Berlin, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - unknown
Immediate family
-
Members
James V. Abbatiello (father)
Lucy Abbatiello (mother)
Thomas Abbatiello (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-32113 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4952
More information
S/Sgt Gaetano C. Abbatiello was a barber.He enlisted in Jamaica, New York on 31 March 1941.
Thirty seconds after bombs away at 1108, a flak burst hit the airplane, either knocking it off or tearing it to shreds. The airplane went up in a steep stall, and after standing on its tail for a moment, slid off to the left and turned on its back, regained flying altitude momentarily, then went almost straight down in a flat spin. No one could see it below an estimated 18,000 feet, at which time all engines were still running. No fire, explosions or smoke was seen.
Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Döbertitz, Germany.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch www.306thbw.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com