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name
APICELLA, Edward - Date of
birth
14 December 1922 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York -
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12022482 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner/Assistant Engineer -
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 |
|---|---|---|
| D | 18 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Anthony Apicella (father)
May Apicella (mother)
Esther Apicella (sister)
Albert Apicella (brother)
Albina (Skalon) Apicella (wife)
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 Apicella attended high school for four years.He joined the Regular Army in New York City, New York on 21 January 1941.
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, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Storiesbehindthestars.org