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name
QUARANTA, Robert J - Date of
birth
16 June 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Staten Island, Richmond County, New York -
Hometown
Staten Island, Richmond County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12141817 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
545th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 July 1943 - Place of
death
Kaltoft, northeast of Schleswig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Oscar J. Quaranta (father)
Ann N. (Stevens) Quaranta (mother)
Helen A. Quaranta (sister)
Ann Quaranta (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29700 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Jimmy Boy
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the naval base
More information
S/Sgt Robert J. Quaranta volunteered for the US Army Air Corps in New York City, New York on 10 September 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.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, John T. Gerlosky, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census US / WWII Enlistment Record / Family Trees
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arjan Boukema