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name
SYRA, Ellis Howard - Date of
birth
8 September 1922 -
Age
21 -
Place of birth
Edmonton, Metcalfe County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Marion County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35572604 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
850th Bombardment Squadron,
801st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Méréville, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 29 | 60 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James M. Syra (father)
Lillie M. (Scott) Syra (mother)
Mamie B. Syra (sister)
Delcie P. Syra (sister)
Ora R. Syra (sister)
Dora F. Syra (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95317 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Autruy-sur-Juine, France
Mission: Carpetbagger
MACR: 6989
More information
S/Sgt Ellis H. Syra was employed by Dietz Ballweg Company before he enlisted in Indianapolis, Indiana on 5 December 1942.A night-fighter was seen to be shadowing them so th epilot tried to hide in the clouds but the layers were too thin. Coming out of the clouds the aircraft was hit by a burst of cannon fire setting the #2 engine and the rear of the bomb bay ablaze.
Efforts to stop the fire proved futile so the pilot rang the alarm bell at about 6,000ft and the crew bailed out over Méréville, about 40 miles south of Paris.
S/Sgt Syra was either seriously wounded or killed in the fighter attack.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Solers, France.
He and James Lovelace are remembered on a monument in Autruy-sur-Juine, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – Eric Ackerman, www.aircrewremembered.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy