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Personal info

Full name
CHRISTENSEN, Elmer Peter
Date of birth
2 June 1911
Age
33
Place of birth
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Hometown
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
6647056
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Engineer/Waist Gunner
Unit
512th Bombardment Squadron,
376th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
17 October 1944
Place of death
Southwest of Laaer Berg, Vienna, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
A 28 20

Immediate family

Members
Peter C. Christensen (father)
Manina P. (Pederson) Christensen (mother)
Agnes K. Christensen (sister)
Axel G. Christensen (brother)
Ejnar C. Christensen (brother)
Amy M. Christensen (sister)
Helga B. Christensen (sister
Audrey J. (Walls) Christensen (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-51401
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the Vienna Motor Works
MACR: 12262

More information

S/Sgt Elmer P. Christensen attended high school for four years before he enlisted in Indianapolis, Indiana on 22 May 1943.

Crew members of other planes in the group saw this airplane peel to the right just after the bomb run. #2 engine was on fire and #3 and #4 engines were smoking badly.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Kiehn Hilton Ancestry, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Russ Pickett, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Oct.44.html

Photo source: www.newspapers.com – The Indianapolis Star Indiana 5 November 1944