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Personal info

Full name
ROGERS, Samuel Leman
Date of birth
9 March 1923
Age
22
Place of birth
Ellenboro, Ritchie County, West Virginia
Hometown
Ellenboro, Ritchie County, West Virginia

Military service

Service number
O-688848
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
332nd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
unknown
Date of death
8 April 1945
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Samuel P. Rogers (father)
Iva (Wilson) Rogers (mother)
Virginia B. Rogers (sister)
Ruth W. Rogers (sister)
James P. Rogers (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38688
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hof, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 13880

More information

1st Lt Samuel L. Rogers enlisted in Wheeling, West Virginia on 9 June 1942.

Statement from MACR:
"This aircraft was a member of a Squadron which was the seventh Squadron over the target. Only three (3) bursts of flak were observed before the seventh Squadron went over the target. As this Squadron reached the target, about fifteen (15) seconds before bombs away, moderate, tracking and very accurate flak from about six (6) to ten (10) guns, believed to be railway guns, hit the formation. The missing aircraft was hit on the right wing and the number 3 engine and the right wing were observed to be on fire. About eight (8) seconds before bombs away this aircraft left the formation and was observed to spiral down slowly but apparently under control.
Aircraft was flying at 14,300 feet when hit. The aircraft momentarily leveled off about at about 7,000 feet and seven (7) chutes and possible eight (8) were observed from the aircraft. The remainder of the Squadron took severe evasive action immediately after bombs away and therefore further positive observations were impossible. Several aircraft from following formations were observed to be hit by flak and chutes were seen coming out of three (3) other aircraft, two (2) of which were observed to crash on the ground. No further information is known regarding the crew of this missing aircraft."

Source of information: André Koch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / West Virginia, Births Index, 1804-1938,
www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-H, Eagle Pass Army Flying School