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name
ARNOLD, Lowell Lujean - Date of
birth
26 February 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Indiana -
Hometown
Fredericksburg, Washington County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35488682 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
328th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 June 1944 - Place of
death
16 miles south of Dreux, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 36 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James W. Arnold (father)
Carrie Arnold (mother)
Alva Arnold (brother)
Ralph Arnold (brother)
Howard Arnold (brother)
Leon Arnold (brother)
Hattie Arnold (sister)
Fyrne Arnold (sister)
Geneva Arnold (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-100294 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Victory Belle
Destination: Dreux, France
MACR: 6742
More information
Lowell Arnold graduated from Hardingsburg High School.He enlisted on 24 July 1942.
On 24 June, 1944 I was flying aircraft number 42-100428 on the left wing of ship 42-100294, Captain Roggenkamp's airplane. We had started the bomb run and were getting a lot of flak, most of the bursts very close. 294 got a burst in nr. 2 engine and swerved toward me, When I pulled up to avoid collison he passed under me and appeared a few seconds later out on my left wing, apparently out of control and the plane exploded. I saw no parachutes leave the plane at any time but at interrogation members of my crew reported seeing two chutes open and one man leave the plane whose chute not open or it was a delayed opening.
The plane was later recovered with the bodies of the pilot, co-pilot and the gunner still in it. Some of the crew were able to parachute out the bomb bay opening. A surviving eye witness from the crew said that Lowell's parachute was on fire when he jumped. He died on impact with the ground.
His brother James served with the 96th Infantry Division.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Kathy McDermott