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Submit- Full
name
LAZARAKIS, James L - Date of
birth
1924 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Massachusetts -
Hometown
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31263470 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| B | 17 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Helen Lazarakis (mother)
Ange Lazarakis (brother)
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
Sgt James L. Lazarakis was a smith before he enlisted in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on 10 May 1943.2nd 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."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com – Ange Lazarakis, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.45.html
Photo source: -