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name
LESLIE, Thomas Rae - Date of
birth
4 August 1915 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-753799 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 March 1944 - Place of
death
Hausstette, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 18 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William Leslie (father)
Sarah E. (Johnston) Leslie (mother)
Graham Leslie (brother)
William Leslie (brother)
Joan T. (McCormack) Leslie (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31735 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Lucky Lee
Mission: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Friedrichstrasse railroad station
MACR: 3020
More information
German fighters knocked out engine 3 & 4. There was a huge steam of gasoline coming off the right wing and the pilot, Lt Brannan, issued the bail out signal fearing an explosion. A few moments later, the airplane exploded.Eight crew members were taken prisoner, two were killed.
According to a statement of one of the surviving crew members, Robyn P. Fulton, 2nd Lt Leslie dumped his parachute, trying to get to the escape hatch. He then picked up his parachute and held it in his arms and bailed out. His parachute did not open.
2nd Lt Leslie was initially buried at the POW Cemetery of Vechta/Oldenburg on 13 March 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 100thBombGroup, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: Michel Beckers, 100thBombGroup, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-H Hemet California