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Personal info

Full name
MCCRAY, Richard Joseph
Date of birth
16 October 1921
Age
21
Place of birth
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Hometown
Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
O-742514
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
547th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
25 June 1943
Place of death
Oldenburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 32 47

Immediate family

Members
Harold A. McCray (father)
Minnie E. (Streeton) McCray (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30143
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Yankee Powerhouse
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area and submarine pens
MACR: 16378

More information

Richard McCray attended college.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California on 9 April 1942.

The airplane was hit by flak. Six crew members were taken prisoner, and four men were killed. They were initially buried at the New Cemetery of Oldenburg on 30 June 1943.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com, www.384thbombgroup.com

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers/Fred Preller 384th Bomb Group, Arie-Jan van Hees - 303BGws