Missing information?

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

Submit

Personal info

Full name
DAVIS, Edward Earl
Date of birth
11 September 1917
Age
27
Place of birth
Shelby County, Texas
Hometown
Sweetwater, Nolan County, Texas

Military service

Service number
38134070
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
347th Bombardment Squadron,
99th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 December 1944
Place of death
Near Brünn, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
C 9 69

Immediate family

Members
Daniel M. Davis (father)
Lillie M. (Tatum) Davis (mother)
Oris L. Davis (brother)
Murlin Davis (brother)
James E. Davis (brother)
Emma L. Davis (wife)
Norma J. Davis (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-32097
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Slipstream
Destination: Odertal, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 10635

More information

Sgt Edward E. Davis was a cook before he enlisted in Abilene, Texas, on 7 July 1942.

Sgt Paul E. Brenneman:
"The last I remember of seeing plane #32097 was before and right after the target. After leaving the target, plane #32097 pulled to altitude, Approximately 500 feet above formation and approximately 500 feet to the left. After dropping their bombs, they closed their bomb bay doors about one third of the way and seemed to lose altitude and drift away from the formation. The last I saw of plane #32097 was when it was flying along just above the clouds, apparently O.K. We were jumped by fighters at this time and I lost track of it. I do know, however, that a B-17 which might possibly have been #32097, as it was straggling behind the formation, was hit by fighters and exploded in the air behind us. It was too far away for me to know whether it was plane #32097 or not."

2nd Lt Ward S. Randolph:
"To my knowledge he was dead when I bailed out."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Les Davis, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Dec.44.html
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – 50th AIB