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name
MATRACIA, August Anthony - Date of
birth
10 March 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Kenton County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35874032 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Nose Gunner -
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 September 1944 - Place of
death
Espa, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 26 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Michael A. Matracia (father)
Frances Matracia (mother)
Michael B. Matracia (brother)
Joseph Matracia (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50358 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Pleasure Bent
Destination: Hannover, Germany
MACR: 8849
More information
S/Sgt August A. Matracia attended Saint Xavier High School.This aircraft peeling off after an enemy fighter attack with the stabilizer shot up and the pilot's deck canopy completely shot off, and with comment he thought both pilots were killed then. The aircraft was 100% destroyed by fire after crashing. The casualties reported were: Jones, Doolittle, Matracia, Cicora, and Berezoysky. Time of crash was noted to be 1200 hours as a result of fighter attacks. A supplementary report to the above stated that (4) other crewmen were taken as prisoners at 1240 hours near the town of Giessen: Oppenheim, Gustavson, Ralston, and Lockhart. All casualties and prisoners were positively identified by the Germans.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card, US Headstone and Internment Record, 1940 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, 392nd Bomb Group, Saint Xavier High School 1943