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name
APPELDORN, Thomas Joseph - Date of
birth
28 March 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Washington County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Cabell County, West Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15087738 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Belly Gunner -
Unit
66th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 November 1943 - Place of
death
Between Brual and Rhede, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 23 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry M. Appeldorn (father)
Matilda (Kreiglein) Appeldorn (mother)
Francis J. Appeldorn (brother)
Bernard J. Appeldorn (brother)
Maynard J. Appeldorn (brother)
Mary H. Appeldorn (sister)
George L. Appeldorn (brother)
Herman J. Appeldorn (brother)
Phillip L. Appeldorn (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24234 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Mr 5x5
Destination: Bremen Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 1501
More information
Thomas J. Appeldorn was a tool sharpener.He volunteered for Air Corps of the Army of the United States on 5 January 1942 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
This B-24 and another one were flying in a tight formation when both hit prop wash from airplanes ahead. The other plane nosed up and the #4 engine and propeller chewed into the tail of Mr 5x5, tearing off the right stabilizer, fin and rudder. Immediately it did half a wing-over and started to go down in a slow spiral. As it lost altitude, it was seen to level off for a moment, and then the remainder of the tail assembly disintegrated. It went down and was seen to crash.
The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - WWII Registration Card, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Storiesbehindthestars.org