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name
SAMARA, Edward Genavo - Date of
birth
6 March 1918 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
York, Livingston County, New York -
Hometown
York, Livingston County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-734511 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
533rd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 June 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, 3 miles west of Bensersiel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 17 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph A. Samara Sr. (father)
Nathalie Samara (mother)
Joseph A. Samara Jr. (brother)
Gloria Samara (sister)
Patricia A. Samara (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30027 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
MACR: 162
More information
Edward Samara graduated from York Central School and attended Mechanics Institute in Rochester. After finishing an aviation refresher course in 1940 at East High School, Rochester, Lt Samara volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States on 2 December 1941Lt Samara promised his parents to fly over his home in Retsof if the opportunity ever came. He fulfilled his promise on 25 May 1943 when his "Fort' circled over his home and a note was dropped into the family yard stating that he was taking off for overseas service.
The airplane was shot down by German fighters at 09:10 hours and crashed in the sea, three miles west of Bensersiel, Germany. The entire crew of ten men was killed.
The body of Lt Samara washed up on the beach and was initially buried at Langeoog Island.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Missing Aircrew Report, www.newspapers.com - Democrat and Chronicle, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - Democrat and Chronicle