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Personal info

Full name
BUNTE, Ernest Leroy
Date of birth
2 August 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Smithville, Bastrop County, Texas
Hometown
Smithville, Bastrop County, Texas

Military service

Service number
O-749670
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 April 1944
Place of death
Near Eschwege, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
A 18 22

Immediate family

Members
Henry C. Bunte (father)
Meta I. (Wall) Bunte (mother)
Henry M. Bunte (brother)
August W. Bunte (brother)
Theodore L. Bunte (brother)
Minnie M. Bunte (sister)
Isabella O. Bunte (sister)
Edward M. Bunte (brother)
Walter A. Bunte (brother)
Randolph A. Bunte (brother)
Ruth E. (Fugate) Bunte (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-38006
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Hoosier Hot Shot
Destination: Eschwege, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 4046

More information

2nd Lt Ernest L. Bunte was employed as and electric welder for Southern Pacific Railroad before he enlisted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas on 15 May 1942.

S/Sgt Charles A. Shriver:
Aircraft B-17G, 42-38006, was hit during attack by enemy aircraft, three engines were set on fire. The aircraft peeled off from the formation, turned over and headed straight down, then leveled out and exploded in mid-air. Two parachutes were seen coming from the aircraft. This happened just prior the bombs away.

1st Lt Leonard J. Lindroth:
He was either wounded or killed while waiting to bail out.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Ruhmann Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – James Durham, www.newspapers.com – Austin American Statesman - 30 June 1944

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – AOsman, www.ancestry.com – Rose Lee Head