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name
ROSLEFSKE, Edward A - Date of
birth
1925 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Snohomish, Snohomish County, Washinhgton -
Hometown
Snohomish, Snohomish County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39215073 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
778th Bombardment Squadron,
464th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Malženice, Czechoslovakia
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 41 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Anthony J. Roslefske (father)
Elizabeth G. (Rekdal) Roslefske (mother)
Lucille Y. Roslefske (sister)
Palma Roslefske (sister)
Charlotte Roslefske (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-786409 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Devinska Nova Ves, Czechoslovakia
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 10221
More information
S/Sgt William W. Skinner:"I was left waist gunner on Capt Steven’s plane, 6 December 1944. I saw 4 enemy fighters ME-109s attack Lt Steven's plane at 0600 level. Then No.3 engine of Lt Steven's plane caught fire and I saw 2 chutes come out of his plane. Then the plane went into a dive and spun for about 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Then I saw 2 more chutes leave the plane, and then the plane exploded.
Sgt Anthony J. Cavallo:
"Last seen firing at attacking planes which were making tail attack. Probably killed in turret. Intense fire directed at tail.
After the war, his crewmate, Sgt William L. McLaughlin, recommended Sgt Schonfield for the posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. While the plane was badly damaged and the order to bail out was given, Sgt Schonfield, Sgt Roslefske and Sgt Penman, who was already recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, gave first aid to and fastened the parachute of Sgt Cavello, the radio operator, who was wounded, before pushing him out. By the time the wounded man was pushed to safety, it was too late to jump and the damaged B-24 blew up, killing Penman and Roslefske. Sgt Schonfield was killed by enemy fire just before the explosion.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Presidents Generals and Royalty, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Dec.44.html
Photo source: -