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Personal info

Full name
DERENCE, Leonard A
Date of birth
11 October 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
McKees Rocks, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33697311
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 March 1945
Place of death
Wesel, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 31 54

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Derence (father)
Helen Derence (mother)
Fannie Derence (sister)
Mary Liberto (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-50749
Data
Type: B-24 J
Mission: Aerial Combat
MACR: 13615

More information

Information received at interrogation from
2nd Lt Kohl, Howard S:
Aircraft 749 had number 3 engine on fire, feathered number 4 engine and then feathered number 3. Aircraft exploded when it hit the ground at 1322 hours at approximately 5144N-0640E.

S/Sgt Leonard A. Derence first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Ardennes, Belgium Block F, Row 11, Grave 274.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www,wwiimemorial.com, Missing Aircrew Report 13615, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / McKees Rocks, Allegheny, Pennsylvania

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Ljliberto