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Personal info

Full name
BROWN, Dale S
Date of birth
1 April 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Lebanon, Van Buren County, Iowa
Hometown
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
17152717
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
418th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
31 December 1944
Place of death
Westerhüsen, near Emden, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 13 2

Immediate family

Members
Paul S. Brown (father)
Florence D. (Kreiss) Brown (mother)
Lois Brown (sister)
Faye Brown (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38459
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Cargo for Margo
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Rheunania Ossag oil refinery
MACR: 11358

More information

Dale S. Brown worked on a farm.

He joined the Air Corps of U.S. Army Reserve at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 1 February 1943.

The airplane drpped back and lost altitude after the first fighter attack. De pilot was heard on the radio, saying he had two wounded aboard but might be forced to ditch. He said he would like to reach Holland and that he had gasoline for one hour flying.

The airplane made a crash landing near Westerhüsen.

Of the crew of nine, only S/Sgt Brown was killed. The rest was taken prisoner.

According of the MACR S/Sgt Brown was killed by an anti-aircraft shell fragment in the chest. This is confirmed by a German grave certificate.

He was initially buried at the Civilian Cemetery of Wittmund, Germany on 3 January 1945.

He was given his finale resting place on 31 March 1949.