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Personal info

Full name
SCHWAB, Charles Alexander
Date of birth
21 April 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Buffalo, Erie County, New York
Hometown
Williamsville, Erie County, New York

Military service

Service number
O-832022
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
527th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

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

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 22 19

Immediate family

Members
Frederick O. Schwab Sr. (father)
Lena Schwab (mother)
Frederick O. Schwab Jr. (brother)
Anna Schwab (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38685
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hopsten, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airdrome
MACR: 14112

More information

2nd Lt Charles A. Schwab graduated from Williamsville High School and attended the University of Pharmacy of Buffalo for two years.
He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Buffalo, New York on 22 July 1942.

The aircraft was hit by flak over the target, setting the right wing on fire. It was observed going into a spin and exploding.

Three crew members were taken prisoner, six men were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, 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: Peter Schouteten