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name
DOWNARD, Jesse Roy - Date of
birth
5 August 1923 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Bismarck, St. Francois County, Missouri -
Hometown
Washington, Franklin County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17015695 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
368th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 April 1943 - Place of
death
Aurich-Oldendorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 6 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John H. Downard (father)
Ada B.I. (Meyers) Downard (mother)
Rose M. Downard (sister)
Mary R. Downard (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24467 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: The Grim Reaper
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Focke-Wulf aircraft factory
MACR: 15525
More information
Jesse Downard was an architect.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 20 November 1940.
The aircraft was probably hit by flak. Eight crew members survived and were taken prisoner, two men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten