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name
HANNA, Thomas L - Date of
birth
1925 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Oklahama -
Hometown
Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18163736 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
725th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 February 1945 - Place of
death
Near Vienna, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 2 | 53 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Farley T. Hanna (father)
Willie I. Hanna (mother)
Rayford E. Hanna (brother)
Virdie M. Hanna (sister)
Yoonde E. Hanna (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52036 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Vienna, Austria
MACR: 12090
More information
Cpl Thomas L. Hanna attended Central High School for 4 years.He joined the Regular Army in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 14 October 1943.
Statement from 2nd Lt Albert D. Sherman Jr.:
"I was the Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Aircraft which flew in the fourth position of the formation on 7 February 1945 with B-24 Liberator Aircraft number 42-52036 piloted by 2nd Darrell M. Burk, flying number five position, and B-24 Liberator Aircraft number 42-52440, piloted by 2nd Lt Paul D. Holst, flying number six position. While over the target Lt Holst received a direct flak hit in the bomb bay of his ship, causing it to burst in flames. He rallied right and in doing so crashed into Lt Burk’s aircraft. It appeared as if Lt Burk tried to avoid a collision, but to no avail. When the ships collided a few bombs were dropped from Lt Burk’s ship. After the collision the two ships remained together until Lt Burk’s ship barrel-rolled earthward out of my view and Lt Holst’s ship disintegrated."
He was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery St. Avold, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Central High School