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name
HAILEY, Henson H - Date of
birth
23 May 1915 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35729481 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Observer -
Unit
759th Bombardment Squadron,
459th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
unknown
Death
-
Status
Died non-Battle - Date of
death
3 June 1945 - Place of
death
Kalwang, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 30 | 49 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George H. Hailey (father)
Lucy M. (Chandler) Hailey (mother)
Mary E. Hailey (sister)
George H. Hailey (brother)
Ruth E. (Nunley) Hailey (wife)
More information
Sgt Henson H. Hailey attended high school for 4 years and was a retail manager before he enlisted in Evansville, Indiana on 15 April 1943.The B-24 was flying through valleys at extremely low altitudes so that the crew members could make their observations. As the plane was approaching the little hamlet of Kalwang, Austria, the plane banked as the pilot chose an adjoining valley. That alternate valley quickly faded into a taller mountain, offering no outlet. The pilot desperately attempted to climb to a higher elevation, but the four engine B-24 was no match for the steep incline. The plane would not be able to clear the crest of the mountain and inevitably crashed into it.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Hailey Family Tree / Public Member Stories, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: -