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Submit- Full
name
HICKS, Eugene Ronald - Date of
birth
16 July 1921 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Meadow Grove, Madison County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Madison County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-811078 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
832nd Bombardment Squadron,
486th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
28 May 1944 - Place of
death
English Channel, north of Zuidkote, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Matt K. Hicks (father)
Edith L. Hicks (mother)
Marvin K. Hicks (brother)
Lest M. Hicks (brother)
Doris G. Hicks (sister)
Telma C. Hicks (sister)
Norman H. Hicks (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50345 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Robin The Cradle
Destination: Lutzkendorf/Halle, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 5389
More information
According to crew members of other airplanes in the group, the aircraft was hit by flak near the I.P.. It tried to make a run on the primary target but couldn't stay in the formation. It was seen following the formation on route at a lower altitude and last seen about 30 miles from the Belgian coast at an altitude between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. It is assumed all the crew members bailed out over the English Channel. Only two men survived and were taken prisoner by the Germans on the beach near Gravelines or Zuidkote, France. Nine men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com