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name
HAYNES, Benjamin Lester Jr - Date of
birth
19 December 1921 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Phenix City, Russell County, Alabama -
Hometown
Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34444117 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
16 December 1943 - Place of
death
Waddenzee approximately 2 miles northwest of Harlingen, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Benjamin L. Haynes (father)
Iona Y. W. Haynes (mother)
Esther Haynes (twin sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30872 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Blond Bomber
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1565
More information
S/Sgt Benjamin L. Haynes Jr. worked in a metal factory.He enlisted at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia on 25 September 1942.
Aircraft #42-31113, that was flying above aircraft #42-30872, was attacked by enemy aircraft. One engine was shot off and hit their airplane, causing them both to crash. No parachutes were seen.
The entire crew of both aircraft was killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Archives.gov, Footnote.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Cards; 1930 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 96th Bomb Group Museum