Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
DANIELS, Richard H
Date of birth
31 July 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
South Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Ticonderoga, Essex County, New York

Military service

Service number
O-814657
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
unknown
Unit
368th Fighter Squadron,
359th Fighter Group
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 January 1945
Place of death
Bouxwiller, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
B 34 32

Immediate family

Members
Howard E. Daniels (father)
Lucille M. (Tucker) Daniels (mother)
Thomas E. Daniels (brother)
Marilyn S. Daniels (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-14325
Data
Type: P-51D
Destination: Siegen, Germany
Mission: Bomber Escort

More information

The mission of the day was to escort bombers on a raid to Siegen, Germany, and strafe targets of opportunity on the way back. The fighter group left the bombers in the area of Giessen and strafed multiple locomotives, rail cars, and vehicles.

Lt Daniels inadvertently strafed a U.S. position near Ingwiller, France. He made three passes in spite of warnings from the troops, then they opened fire and he crashed near Bouxwiller.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, wwiimemorial, www.ancestry.com, www.americanairmuseum.com
Photo source: Arie-Jan van Hees, 359th Fighter Group History Book, Gary S. Hogle (nephew)