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name
MURPHY, Thomas Andrew - Date of
birth
10 December 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland -
Hometown
Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-765045 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
670th Bombardment Squadron,
416th Bombardment Group, Light
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
1 January 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Nandrin, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas F. Murphy (father)
Nellie L. (Soper) Murphy (mother)
June F. Murphy (sister)
John J. Murphy (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-39227 -
Data
Type: A-26B
Destination: Montleban, Belgium
Mission: Bombing of an enemy command post and corps HQ
MACR: 11517
More information
According to Capt Frank J. Harrold, who was leading the flight the aircraft was seen to be hit over the target area by a burst of flak hit directly under the aircraft. The plane was seen to drop out of formation and go into a glide. He didn't see the aircraft crash into the ground but observed one parachute.The various available documents contradict each other about what exactly happened. According to the Group mission reports, the mission of the day was a command center in Montleban, Belgium. According to this document, this target was not bombed due to poor visibility. Two aircraft were lost above this target, but the only victim was recovered and identified.
However, the MACR does mention that a target was bombed. A map in this document suggests that a completely different target was attacked, possibly the Domaine de Bronromme in Theux, Belgium.
The reason for these contradictions is not clear.
1st Lt. Murphy was killed, his gunner, S/Sgt Lawrence W. O'Connell survived and was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR / IDPF
Photo source: Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 44-A La Junta Colorado, Storiesbehindthestars.org