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Personal info

Full name
VITALE, Felice Joseph
Date of birth
2 December 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Queens, Queens County, New York City, New York
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York City, New York

Military service

Service number
12143705
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
567th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 February 1944
Place of death
In the vicinity of Gotha, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
J 26 12

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Vitale (father)
Carmella (Morisano) Vitale (mother)
Caroline M. Vitale (sister)
Frank J. Vitale (brother)
Joseph Vitale (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-73504
Data
Type: B-24D
Destination: Gotha, Germany
Mission: Bombing of an aircraft factory
MACR: 2941

More information

S/Sgt Felice J. Vitale was a mechanic and repairman of motor vehicles before he volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in New York City, New York on 18 September 1942.

2nd Lt James H. Keeffe:
The aircraft 42-73504 was above our ship and to the left. It passed on the left going down and one body came out of aircraft at the waist. It was a delayed jump. Another body came from waist and was in flames. Bomb bays were blown open and entire waist was in flames. Ship glided down to left and tail broke off.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census / Vitale Family Tree, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – John Dowdy

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Major M