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Personal info

Full name
DAVIS, Edward Garren
Date of birth
27 November 1920
Age
22
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33331387
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 October 1943
Place of death
Wagenfeld, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 42 50

Immediate family

Members
Edward Davis (father)
Theresa (Summerschuh) Davis (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29520
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boot yards
MACR: 909

More information

Edward Davis was a stock clerk.

He enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 31 August 1942.

According to eyewitness reports of crew members of other B-17's in the group, this airplane was seen being hit hard by enemy aircraft and immediately after debris flew out from under it and flames appeared. The B-17 went out of formation in a gentle glide. It jettisoned its bombs shortly before reaching the target. Ten minutes later, with no 2 and no 3 engines streaming fire and smoke, it was seen going down under control, with as many as ten enemy aircraft around in attack.

Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, three men were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten