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name
ELDRIDGE, Griffith Morgan Jr "Yank" - Date of
birth
8 February 1913 -
Age
31 - Place of
birth
Americus, Sumter County, Georgia -
Hometown
Sumter County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34686266 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
725th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
25 February 1944 - Place of
death
Near Spittal, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 | 39 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Griffith M. Eldridge (father)
Mamie A. (McArthur) Eldridge (mother)
James D. Eldridge (brother)
Agnes R. Eldridge (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52168 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: The Citadel
Destination: Regensburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 3693
More information
Sgt Griffith M. Eldridge Jr. attended 2 years of college and was a shipping and receiving clerk before he enlisted in Fort McPherson Atlanta, Georgia on 26 January 1943.The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters at about 1140 hours. Gunfire set the #3 engine on fire, and the aircraft went into a steep slide towards the ground.
During Sgt Eldridge’s last mission the plane was hit flying over the target. He stayed behind on the tail gun, drawing fire long enough for everyone to get out, at which point he then tried to exit the plane at a proper altitude. When he landed one of his legs was badly broken and he sustained severe injuries.
The plane crashed near Zederhaus. Sgt Eldridge was found a year later only a mile from a small village, he had frozen to death.
He is remembered at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com – Dawn A. Graddick, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.findagrave.com – Wren, www.451bg.org, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.44.html
Photo source: www.ancestry.com - Wren