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Personal info

Full name
HAUSS, Leslie Horace
Date of birth
5 April 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Newark, Essex County, New Jersey
Hometown
Morris County, New Jersey

Military service

Service number
O-768543
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
612th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 August 1944
Place of death
Tondorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 2 12

Immediate family

Members
Daniel J. Hauss (father)
Mildred A. (Lines) Hauss (mother)
Evelyn L. Hauss (sister)
Daniel Hauss (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-37511
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Jill's Jalopy
Destination: Weimar, Germany
MACR: 8204

More information

Leslie Hauss graduated from Madison High School.

The Group was the target of repeated aggressive attacks from enemy fighter aircraft, who took advantage of what appeared to be a gap in U.S. fighter escort cover. About 30 to 50 Luftwaffe fighters attacked the Group for about 15 minutes as the formation was finishing its climb to altitude and was strung out, and about an hour later the enemy mounted another attack, concentrating on one element and stragglers.

2nd Lt Hauss successfully parachuted to the ground and tried to surrender to German civilians, but was shot and killed. The murderer was tried and sentenced to 25 years.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, Gregory R. Marino, www.fold3.com

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.remember-our-heroes.nl - Andy Swinnen