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name
BALAND, Helmer Orland - Date of
birth
4 June 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Rice Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Rice Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O2065484 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
850th Bombardment Squadron,
490th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 February 1945 - Place of
death
Mittersheim, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 13 | 35 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George T. Baland (father)
Minnie (Larson) Baland (mother)
Cora M. Baland (sister)
Arnold T. Baland (brother)
Harold E. Baland (brother)
Sylvia M. Baland (sister)
Irene E. Baland (sister)
Cora Baland (sister)
Mae Baland (sister)
Lutheria Baland (sister)
Mary K. (O’Brien) Baland (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38699 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Chemnitz, Germany
MACR: 12426
More information
2nd Lt Helmer O. Baland was employed at the Vocational School before he enlisted in April 1943.Capt Kenneth W. Kavanaugh:
Upon departure, the lead aircraft 43-38699 spun out of control and collided with another aircraft with its left wing, causing both to go down in flames. He had no time to bail out.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Doc Wilson, www.newspapers.com – The Evening Telegram - 9 February 1945
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy