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name
BARANIK, Leo - Date of
birth
17 March 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
New York City, New York -
Hometown
Alleghany County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32529866 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
612th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 November 1943 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 12 | 6 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Dave Baranik (father)
Jennie Baranik (mother)
Moe baranik (brother)
Sam Baranik (brother)
William Baranik (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37838 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Fancy Nancy
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
More information
Aircraft 42-37833 "Fancy Nancy" was struck from below by a B-17 from another group, cutting of the ball turret and killing the ball turret gunner, Sgt L. Baranik. The ship was able to return, but force-landed at RAF Detling in Kent, where it was declared damaged beyond repair and scrapped. Suffered a mid-air collision during the mission. Sgt Baranik was killed on Mission 1. He was the Group's first combat casualty.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Astrid van Erp, www.ancestry.com, Andy Swinnen, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Mireille Goedhart, Andy Swinnen