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Personal info

Full name
CARLSON, Norman Donald
Date of birth
23 December 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
DeKalb County, Illinois
Hometown
DeKalb County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
O-760155
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
495th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 December 1944
Place of death
Near Cormeilles, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
A 22 33

Immediate family

Members
John A. Carlson (father)
Lydia O. (Anderson) Carlson (mother)
Helen A. Carlson (sister)
Leonard A. Carlson (brother)
Wilbur L. Carlson (brother)
Ray E. Carlson (brother)
Lillian M. (Niedner) Carlson (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-34426
Data
Type: B-26G
Destination: Ahrweiler, Germany
Mission: Bombing of a railroad dridge
MACR: 15902

More information

1st Lt Norman D. Carlson graduated from DeKalb Township High School and was engaged in the construction business before he enlisted in Chicago, Illinois on 7 May 1942.

Capt Ray W. Rhode:
"As the aircraft approached the target, the bombardier lined up his sights and pulled the bomb release lever. The bombs in the left bomb-bay released. The lower bomb in the right bomb-bay would not release from its shackles. The upper bomb in the right bomb-bay dropped and was caught between the lower bomb and the bomb rack. The bombardier and the engineer-gunner defused the bombs. The pilot decided not to salvo the bombs because of the danger involved to our own troops and also because the entire flight route was over cities and towns. As the aircraft returned to the base the gasoline supply was practically exhausted and the left engine had been feathered. The pilot signalled for an emergency landing but in a matter of seconds the right engine conked out. The pilot ordered the crew members to bail out. All crew members left the aircraft except the pilot. Three of the crew landed in a small radius of each other and immediately began a search for the remaining members of the crew. When located it was learned that the chutes worn by Lt. Carlson, the bombardier and by T/Sgt McNulty did not open upon descent and both were killed instantly. The pilot was killed in the crash that followed."

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Solers, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Carlson Family Tree, www.fold3.com, https://www.asisbiz.com, www.newspapers.com - The Daily Chronicle

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy, www.ancestry.com - Jean Carlson