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Personal info

Full name
ARNOLD, Lowell Lujean
Date of birth
26 February 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Indiana
Hometown
Fredericksburg, Washington County, Indiana

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