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name
MCARDELL, Herbert George - Date of
birth
28 January 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Morrison County, Minnesota -
Hometown
Osakis, Douglas County, Minnesota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17109194 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
347th Bombardment Squadron,
99th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
1 October 1943 - Place of
death
Alvaneu, Switzerland
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 30 | 41 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frederick J. McArdell (father)
Sadie E. (Alfaid) McArdell (mother)
Joseph H. McArdell (brother)
Frank T. McArdell (brother)
Mary S. McArdell (sister)
Eloise M. McArdell (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5856 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Rangy Lil
Destination: Augsburg, Germany
Mission: Messerschmidt aircraft factory
MACR: 795
More information
S/Sgt Herbert G. McArdell worked on a farm before he volunteered for the US Army in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on 19 September 1942.1st Lt William J. Cantwell:
I landed near Alvaneu, Switzerland on 1 October 1943. Number 1, 2, and 3 engines knocked out and #3 engine was on fire. Fire in left wing between #1 and #2 engines. Communication all shot out. I bailed out at 15,000 feet. The bombardier and Navigator were wounded in right arm. Those who bailed out are Navigator, Bombardier, Co-Pilot, Engineer and myself, the pilot. All the chutes opened safely. The ship came apart in the air and exploded on contact with the ground. I saw bodies of six deceased members of my crew. The plane was completely destroyed. Other members of the crew were either wounded or dead at the time of bail-out.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Münsingen, Switzerland.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census / Minnesota Birth Index, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Annie in Minnesota
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy