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name
BASSING, Charles H - Date of
birth
22 July 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Jackson County, Missouri -
Hometown
Jackson County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-759163 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
20 June 1944 - Place of
death
Baltic Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Francis J. Bassing (father)
Mary L. Bassing (mother)
Mary E. Bassing (sister)
Francis J. Bassing Jr. (brother)
George H. Bassing (brother)
Bernard E. Bassing (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40112 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Flak Happy
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 7074
More information
Charles H. Bassing graduated from Pasco High School and Kansas City Junior College.He enlisted in June 1942. He was commissioned 3 November 1943 and went overseas in April.
On 20 Jun 44, they led the group's low left squadron to bomb the heavily defended refineries at Politz. On the way to target just as they reached Rugen Island, they were attacked by enemy fighters. Kehoe recalls, "A loud explosion was my first indication that we had been hit. When I turned around the whole flight deck was in flames." His co-pilot left his seat to see if he could put the fire out. The whole plane was filled with smoke and for a time no one could see. Kehoe gave the order to bail but wasn't sure if the bell or intercom was working. As the smoke semi-cleared few minutes later, Kehoe discovered he was the only one left. Somehow Kehoe made it to Sweden.
Lt Bassing's body surfaced on 2 Aug 44 in Bay Tromper Wiek, northwest of Sassnitz. He was buried locally, but his grave ID was lost.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.492ndbombgroup.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Pasco High School yearbook 1938, 1939 and 1940, Kansas City Times 6 July 1944