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name
FLEMING, Carl Jr - Date of
birth
24 August 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Richmond, Virginia -
Hometown
Richmond, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-420584 -
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
701st Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Air Medal with 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I | 2 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Carl Fleming (father)
Doris (Jones) Fleming (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-51245 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Wesel, Germany
Mission: Supply drop
MACR: 13516
More information
Carl Fleming attended college for two years.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Richmond, Virginia on 23 November 1940.
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.
Lt Col Fleming was the deputy group commander and exceptionally took part in this mission.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, "The History of the 445th Bombardment Group" - Rudolph J. Birsic, IWM/American Air Museum via Arie-Jan van Hees