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name
STEPHENS, Eugene Loren - Date of
birth
13 October 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-794069 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
414th Bombardment Squadron,
97th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 April 1944 - Place of
death
Southwest of Ternitz, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 38 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Elisha L. Stephens (father)
Sarah A. (Caddell) Stephens (mother)
Blanche Stephens (half-sister)
Mae Stephens (half-sister)
Lyle W. Stephens (half-brother)
Glenn H. Stephens (brother)
Dorothy Stephens (sister)
Charles L. Stephens (brother)
John W. Stephens (brother)
Carol Stephens (sister)
Roger B. Stephens (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5943 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Mission: Airfield
MACR: 4393
More information
2nd Lt Eugene L. Stephens graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1940 with a law degree. He was employed as a lawyer.He volunteered for the U.S. Army in Montgomery, Alabama, on 15 January 1942.
The aircraft was hit by fighters and enemy anti-aircraft and caught on fire. It lost altitude and became detached from the formation. The tail of the A/C came off. It crashed on fire. Four men bailed out and were captured, the rest of the crew died.
Lt Stephens is remembered at the Highland Cemetery Williamsburg in Whitley County, Kentucky
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery,St. Avold, France, Block 4-M, Row 10, Grave 236.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, 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 / Kentucky Birth Index / 1920 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Pat Lacy