Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
DAEHN, Arthur Irvin "Dusty"
Date of birth
25 January 1925
Age
20
Place of birth
Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa
Hometown
Butler County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
O-776956
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
828th Bombardment Squadron,
485th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
23 February 1945
Place of death
Near Bruck an der Mur, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
E 13 33

Immediate family

Members
Oscar C. Daehn (father)
Jean E. (Irvine) Daehn (mother)
John B. Daehn (brother)
Wilda J. (Harrison) Daehn (wife)
Mary K. Daehn (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
44-49838
Data
Type: B-24L
Destination: Bruck an der Mur, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 12471

More information

2nd Lt August J. Horvath:
"On 23 February 1945 I was flying as Pilot of Airplane Number 44-49393 in number five position of Baker Box on a bombing mission to Bruck, Austria. When over the target, just after bombs away, I saw airplane number 44-49838, flying the Number four position of Baker Box, piloted by 1st Lt Robert G. Ware, receive a direct hit in the bomb bay by anti-aircraft fire. The airplane immediately burst into flames around the bomb bay area. Next I saw two men jump from the rear escape hatch, followed by the dinghy radio, then another man. At the time I saw the men, they had not opened their parachutes. The airplane continued with the formation for a few seconds, as though the pilot did not know his aircraft was on fire, then slid off on one wing and passed under the formation. From my position, I was unable to see any further developments."

2nd Lt Arthur I. Daehn is remembered at the Dobson Cemetery, Garwin, Tama County, Iowa.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Iowa WWII Bonus Case Files, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - Sameelee, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.45.html
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Chris Nelson