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name
CATES, Velgene V - Date of
birth
1921 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Oklahoma -
Hometown
Hemet, Riverside County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
T-000159 -
Rank
Flight Officer -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
326th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 July 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 12 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas J. Cates (father)
Rachel K. Cates (mother)
Glen T. Cates (brother)
Billie T. Cates (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29709 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Yo Brother
Destination: Hannover, Germany
MACR: 190
More information
Last seen to hit water about 10 minutes off island of Nordernay whit one engine on fire, tail chewed up.On 26 July 1943 when it failed to return due to a mid-air collision with a German fighter and crashed in the North Sea. All ten of the crewmen were KIA.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Mireille Goedhart