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Submit- Full
name
ROSS, James Francis - Date of
birth
4 October 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33795481 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Gunner -
Unit
720th Bombardment Squadron,
450th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 September 1944 - Place of
death
Over Vienna, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 36 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James Ross (father)
Stella Ross (mother)
Roberta Ross (sister)
Helen Ross (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50893 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 8371
More information
S/Sgt James F. Ross attended West Philadelphia High School. He was a carpenter at the Sun Shipyards.He entered the service in September, 1943.
On 10 September 1944 the formation was on a mission to bomb the target at Vienna Austria. The crew of Lt Stratten was flying ship #42-50893 in the number five position of the second box in the first attack unit. Over the target intense and accurate flak was encoutered. Just before 'bombs away' Lt Stratten's aircraft received a direct hit on the right wing. The wing fell off and the ship immediately went into a dive exploding about ten seconds later. After the explosion there was another explosion and the ship disintegrated.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten