Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
MAGELLAN, Arthur Marvin
Date of birth
21 February 1917
Age
27
Place of birth
Santa Paula, Ventura County, California
Hometown
Santa Paula, Ventura County, California

Military service

Service number
39719226
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
3 February 1945
Place of death
600 meters north of Ohlendorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 23 17

Plane data

Serial number
42-50551
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Delectable Doris
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 12370

More information

S/Sgt Arthur M. Magellan worked in an aircraft factory.

He enlisted at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California on 28 December 1943.

The airplane was hit by flak in the pilots compartment and nose. It was abserved to go into a dive, but was pulled out of it. Then it went into a slow roll from which it was pulled out again and then started weaving. Crew members of other bombers in the formation saw nine parachutes leaving the plane before the bombs burst and the ship blew up. Parts of the airplane were crattered in an area of 5000 meters by 500 meters.

S/Sgt Maggelan was initially buried at the cemetery of Ohlendorf on 4 February 1945.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com