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Personal info

Full name
CANTRELL, Eugene
Date of birth
3 June 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Englewood, McMinn County, Tennessee
Hometown
Englewood, McMinn County, Tennessee

Military service

Service number
O-698258
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Navigator
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
16 August 1944
Place of death
Near Rehmsdorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
D 21 26

Immediate family

Members
James W. Cantrell (father)
Frances B. (Slack) Cantrell (mother)
Vera L. Cantrell (sister)
Ralph Cantrell (brother)
Hazel B. Cantrell (sister)
John S. Cantrell (brother)
James T. Cantrell (brother)
Ollie R. Cantrell (brother)
Georgia I. Cantrell (sister)
Delsie (Hicks) Cantrell (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97797
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Full House
Destination: Zeitz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 8175

More information

2nd Lt Eugene Cantrell attended McMinn High School and the University of Tennessee. He was employed by the Aluminum Company of America before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Knoxville, Tennessee on 3 September 1942. He was sent overseas on 1 May 1944.

Capt David E. Olsson:
B-17G 42-97797 piloted by 1st Lt Allen E. Hannum, was seen to receive a direct hit by flak in the right wing, over the target of Zeitz, Germany at 1133 hours. There was an explosion near #3 engine which knocked most of the right wing off. The aircraft slipped out of formation and about a minute later the aircraft was seen to disintegrate in the air. Four chutes were reported as having left the aircraft.

T/Sgt John W. Sharon:
He did not bail out he must have been wounded or dead.

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 / Cantrell Hassler Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – War Graves

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Kevin / Glenda Rowland, Arie-Jan van Hees, Navigator Class book 43-16 San Marcos, Texas