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name
GILLETTE, Henry Aaron - Date of
birth
10 July 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Massachusetts -
Hometown
Jamaica Plain, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-829458 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
701st Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
Three miles southeast of Wesel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Isidore Gillette (father)
Bessie Gillette (mother)
Melvin Gillette (brother)
Edith G. Gillette (wife)
Ellen Gillette (daughter)
Elizabeth Gillette (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-51245 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Wesel, Germany
Mission: Supply drop
MACR: 13516
More information
Lt. Henry A. Gillette graduated from Boston Latin High School in 1936. He was on the track team, the Debate team and was a cheer leader.He joined the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts on 5 November 1942.
The mission of the day was dropping supplies for the ground troops, participating in Operation Varsity.
The airplane was hit by small arms fire when it was flying at 300 ft and caught fire. It crashed in flames and exploded. All ten crew members were killed.
According to the above mentioned book, Lt Strickland's brother Harold, an infantryman, witnessed the crash but did not know his brother was on board.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, Ellen Gillette Swatek
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Ellen Gillette Swatek, Boston Latin High School yearbook, 1936