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name
THOMAS, Abraham Benjamin - Date of
birth
3 December 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Plains, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Plainfield, Somerset County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32464078 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
565th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 April 1944 - Place of
death
3 miles northeast of Vreden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 2 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Abraham D. Thomas (father)
Myrtle (Titus) Thomas (mother)
Russell Thomas (brother)
Llewellyn Thomas (brother)
John Thomas (brother)
Grace Thomas (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-109798 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Oschersleben, Germany
MACR: 3780
More information
S/Sgt Thomas graduated from Coughlin High School. He was employed at International Motor Company.He enlisted in September 1942. Prior to be sent to the European Theater, he served on patrol duty in the Pacific and Asiatic theaters following graduation from the Harlingen Air School, Texas, as an Army Air Force gunner.
Aircraft was attacked north of target by fighters and suffered heavy damage to No. 2 engine and fuselage. A/C lagged behind formation and continued to be attacked by fighters for approximately another 45 minutes. A/C crashed landed near Vreden, Germany. Three KIA, and seven POW.
Sgt Thomas, the tail gunner, was killed instantly in the attack.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com