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Personal info

Full name
HIGGINS, Bernard Alwin
Date of birth
17 January 1908
Age
35
Place of birth
Watham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
19080947
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Engineer
Unit
330th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
1 August 1943
Place of death
Near Ogrezeni, Rumania

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 26 10

Immediate family

Members
Charles A. Higgins (father)
Beatrice M. (Meuse) Higgins (mother)
Paul E. Higgins (brother)
Mary E. Higgins (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-40613
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Pudgy
Destination: Ploesti, Rumania
Mission: Oil Fields
MACR: 333

More information

T/Sgt Bernard A. Higgins volunteered for the US Army in Los Angeles, California on 11 March 1942.
He attended high school for 3 years and was a mechanic and repairman motor vehicles.
Capt Henri Z. Leke:
32 A/C of this group took part in this mission. On interrogation, returned crews stated that this A/c was last seen as they left the target area. One engine was smoking. The aircraft was under control. The pilot seemed to be looking for a place to land. Forced landing due to fire near Ogrezeni damaged by enemy fighters.

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 Record for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / AB Higgins Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Jac Engels, The Tidings - 15 December 1944