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name
HEIDRICH, Clarence Bernard - Date of
birth
31 October 1913 -
Age
29 -
Place of birth
Liberty, Sullivan County, New York -
Hometown
Norwich, Chenango County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32383489 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 September 1943 - Place of
death
La Garenne-Colombes, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 6 | 29 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Wendellinus C. Heidrich (father)
Julia A. (Decker) Heidrich (mother)
Ira K. Heidrch (brother)
Bertha Heidrich (sister)
Edith M. Heidrich (sister)
Maple J. (Guilliams) Heidrich (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30607 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Pat Hand
Destination: Paris, France
Mission: Bombing of the Hispano-Suiza industrial complex
MACR: 728
More information
S/Sgt Clarence B. Heidrich was employed at M. P. Berglas before he enlisted in Binghamton, New York on 29 July 1942.As the bombers approached the Hispano-Suiza factory in the southwestern suburbs of Paris on 15 September 1943, the formation came under heavy fire from intense German anti-aircraft artillery (flak) and fighter aircraft. The Pat Hand sustained fatal damage. Eyewitnesses stated that the pilots (1Lt Kenneth E. Murphy and 2Lt John R. Young) used every ounce of strength to maneuver the heavily damaged and burning aircraft away from the densely populated residential areas of Paris.
According to French eyewitness statements, the B-17 exploded shortly after clearing the suburbs. The aircraft broke into pieces and crashed in the Paris suburb of La Garenne-Colombes. Due to the mid-air explosion and the intense fire on board, the crew members had virtually no chance to bail out with their parachutes.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Solers, France.
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, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Albert Ledoux, www.google.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy