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Submit- Full
name
HAMMOND, Charles P - Date of
birth
17 June 1920 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Maryland -
Hometown
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
07000408 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Well Hatch Gunner -
Unit
67th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 March 1943 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Alte Mellum Island, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 16 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles P. Hammond (father)
Laura Hammond (mother)
Frances (Waller) Hammond (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-23832 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Maggie
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 15585
More information
According to crew members of other airplane in the group, the aircraft was badly damaged by enemy fighters. All crew members bailed out about 10 minutes away from the target area into the North Sea. Some of them landed on Alte Mellum Island. Other landed in the water south of the island. As these parachutes were descending, two enemy aircraft were seen making two attacks each on the parachutes.Statement of the Navigator, Lt Robert J. Walker, who survived the mission:
"We were coming home from Wilhelmshaven when the ship was badly shot up by German fighters. Shortly after several attacks on us, the ship was shot up so badly that we all had to bail out, in spite of the fact that we were out a bit over the North Sea. We all came down in the vicinity of Alte Mellum island, but into the water. Sgt Klug and I were the first two picked up by a ship headed for Helgoland - and we were the only survivors. Apparently all others drowned, or died from exposure in that frigid water before rescuers found them."
Eight crew members were killed, two men survived and were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com,
Photo source: Peter Schouteten