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name
CONOVER, Chester Earl - Date of
birth
25 March 1910 -
Age
33 - Place of
birth
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio -
Hometown
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35665828 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
545th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 July 1943 - Place of
death
Kaltoft, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 43 | 50 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ulysses G. Conover (father)
May P. (Selman) Conover (mother)
Gertrude Conover (sister)
Herman Conover (brother)
Luella E. Conover (sister)
Leonard E. Conover (brother)
Donald G. Conover (brother)
Florence (Eberhard) Conover (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29700 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the naval base
More information
S/Sgt Chester E. Conover was a chauffeur before he enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio on 14 October 1942.Two small islands off the coast, which were home to two German fighter bases, were bombed. Leading the mission was Maj Ray Ketelson. He described the results of the bombing as uncertain, but did report seeing at least five fires burning through the smoke. Enemy fighters were out in force, and a running battle didn't give crews much time for sightseeing. They were aggressive and effective, as they brought down one B-17. The aircraft, piloted by Lt James R. Roberts, was shot down by enemy fighters. Three men were killed, and the rest of the crew was taken prisoner.
