Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
HAMMOND, Charles P
Date of birth
17 June 1920
Age
22
Place of birth
Maryland
Hometown
Orleans Parish, Louisiana

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