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name
HANDS, Albert J "Al" - Date of
birth
15 April 1920 -
Age
24 -
Place of birth
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York -
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32179521 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Waist Gunner -
Unit
451st Bombardment Squadron,
322nd Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
1 January 1945 - Place of
death
Altenkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 10 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Arthur Hands (father)
Otille Hands (mother)
William A. Hands (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-67813 -
Data
Type: B-26G-15
Destination: Stadtkyll, Germany
MACR: 12003
More information
S/Sgt Albert J. Hands worked in the fabrication of textile products before he enlisted at Camp Upton, New York, on 5 November 1941.Statement from S/Sgt James M. Romine:
"I was flying as tail gunner in the lead ship in the first box. I saw the number five ship in the high flight receive a direct flak hit in the left engine, and then it immediately lost altitude, sliding into the burning engine. I next noticed the left wheel falling off, and then the left engine fell off. The wing fell off, and the plane went into a spin approximately three or four thousand feet above the ground. I saw no chutes open. The ship seemed to be under control until the wing collapsed."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1925 Census, www.fold3.com, New York, New York Birth Index
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Luxembourg American Cemetery / Loren Bender, http://www.b26.com, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-I, Bruce Field, Balinger, Texas