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name
SPORTELLI, Gaetano Domenic - Date of
birth
7 April 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut -
Hometown
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31189101 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 October 1943 - Place of
death
Harskamp military camp, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 22 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Sportelli (father)
Louisa M. Sportelli (mother)
Salvatore J. Sportelli (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3229 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Pasadena Nina
Destination: Munster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the railroad
MACR: 1021
More information
S/Sgt Gaetano D. Sportelli worked in a chemical plant.He enlisted in Hartford, Connecticut on 9 September 1942.
The airplane was hit by flak that knocked out #4 engine. Two crewmembers were killed, seven were taken prisoner. The pilot, 1st Lt John Justice could evade capture and returned to the UK via Gibraltar. The killed crewmembers were initially buried in Ede, The Netherlands.
S/Sgt Sportelli's remains were found in the aircraft's debris. He was wounded before he could bail out.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card, Headstone Inscription and Interment Record
Photo source: 100thBombGroup, www.findagrave.com