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name
FRYER, Austin Edward - Date of
birth
14 March 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
El Paso, El Paso County, Texas -
Hometown
El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-777519 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
391st Bombardment Squadron,
34th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
31 December 1944 - Place of
death
3.5 km north-northwest of Tossener Deich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 40 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William H. Fryer (father)
Mary A. (Kellcher) Fryer (mother)
Elasie Fryer (sister)
Rosemary Fryer (sister)
William H. Fryer (brother
Margaret Fryer (sister)
Helen Fryer (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38423 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Misburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 11372
More information
Austin E. Fryer graduated from Cathedral High School and attended the College of Mines for two years, where he studied law.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Lubbock, Texas on 22 February 1943 and received his wings at Pecos Army Air Field in May 1943. He was sent overseas in October 1944.
The aircraft received a direct flak hit and left the formation, jettisoning its bombs. Number 1 & 2 propellers were feathered, and the #2 engine was on fire. Fire was also observed coming from the open bomb bay doors. It was last seen in a left-hand spiral at 10,000 feet.
Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner; three men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Langwarden on 4 January 1945.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.myheritage.nl - El Paso Herald Post, www.ancestry.com - Texas Birth Index / 1930 Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.ancestry.com - Cathedral High School Yearbook 1938, www.myheritage.nl - El Paso Herald Post