Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
PATTERSON, Allen Dean
Date of birth
20 January 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
New London, New London County, Connecticut
Hometown
New London, New London County, Connecticut

Military service

Service number
31171364
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
549th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 January 1944
Place of death
Anderlues, six miles west of Charleroi, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 39 45

Immediate family

Members
Allen D. Patterson (father)
Alice M. Patterson (mother)
Anna Patterson (sister)
Grace A. Patterson (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30354
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Hustlin' Hussy
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 2268

More information

S/Sgt Allen D. Patterson was a driver before he enlisted in Hartford, Connecticut, on 3 September 1942.

The airplane was attacked by German fighters. It was last seen near the rally point with #1 engine knocked out, and it dropped behind the formation.

Two crew members were taken prisoner, seven men evaded capture and were helped by the Belgian resistance.

S/Sgt Patterson was the only casualty and was killed by 20 mm shells in the head and neck. He was initially buried at the cemetery of Gosselies, Belgium.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com –William L. Beigel, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1930/1940 Census, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Jac Engels