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name
PATTEN, George Kenneth - Date of
birth
28 August 1916 -
Age
28 -
Place of birth
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-754761 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 November 1944 - Place of
death
Gehrden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 42 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ainsley H. Patten (father)
Florence C. (Tyler) Patten (mother)
Ainsley T. Patten (brother)
Irving B. Patten (brother)
Ralph W. Patten (brother)
Elliot C. Patten (brother)
Marjorie L. (Crosby) Patten (wife)
Bruce K. Patten (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40205 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: The Moose
Destination: Misburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 10765
More information
1st Lt George K. Patten attended college and was a draftsman for the General Electric Company before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Boston, Massachusetts on 19 August 1942.Maj Herbert B. Bronner:
Plane was riddled by fighters and set on fire in bomb bay and number 2 engine, plane blew up shortly after bail out alarm was given. All attacks were from the rear and holes were appearing in the back of the bomb bay.
1st Lt Ross S. Houston:
Lt Patten swung his turret to track the attacking aircraft and turret jammed in the extreme left position. Lt Patten tried to maneuver his turret with the hydraulic controls and the navigator tried to crank the turret manually but to no avail. Navigator had to leave when the ammunition in the top turret started to explode.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Ardennes, Belgium.
His brother Irving is also buried at Epinal Cemetery.
Also, all his brothers served during the war.
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 / Knights Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Russ Pickett, www.newspapers.com – The Patriot Ledger - 24 August 1944
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy, www.newspapers.com – The Patriot Ledger - 24 August 1944/14 April 1944, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 43-13, Victorville AAF, California