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name
AASEN, Erling Alf - Date of
birth
31 March 1911 -
Age
34 -
Place of birth
Hallock, Kittson County, Minnesota -
Hometown
King County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39200856 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
B Battery,
390th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion,
2nd Platoon
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 April 1945 - Place of
death
North of Haneau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 13 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Olaus Aasen (father)
Glaudine Aasen (mother)
Gehard Aasen (brother)
Harold Aasen (brother)
Philip Aasen (brother)
Oliver Aasen (brother)
Wilhelm Aasen (brother)
Dagny Aasen (sister)
More information
Pvt Erling A. Aasen enlisted in Tacoma, Washington on 13 February 1943.Information from the SAGA: 390 AAA AW (SW) by Captain David Scott, 1945: Killed in some woods north of Haneau, Germany in ambush of Btry B, 2nd Platoon, 390th AAA AW by SS units. Lt Latrobe M. Barnitz, Jr. was in command of the platoon. Seven men were killed.
After Action Report, 2 May 1945: (4) 020615 April 1945: "2nd platoon Baker Battery while traveling in convoy from Vonhausen to Waldensberg Germany was fired upon from both sides of road with small arms and grenades by approximately 200 enemy foot soldiers at N-065885. The enemy counter attacking from southeast recaptured the town of Wittgenborn at 0500, then proceeded northwest towards Waldensberg being intercepted by our cavalry Southeast of Waldenberg. The enemy then infiltrated to west covering road in woods which 2nd Platoon Baker Battery was approaching. The initial burst of enemy fire from woods adjoining each side of road by machine pistols and other small arms killed one officer and two enlisted men in jeep leading the convoy and two cannoneers in the first M16. Two sections immediately opened fire on each side of road temporarily stemming the attack. After initial fire one M15 was sent back to report situation to Infantry located vicinity Vonhausen. All other vehicles except M-3 and jeep withdrew. After withdrawing a short distance two M16's returned to scene of action accompanied by patrols in woods on each side of road. By firing on each side of road they advanced, this group was able to pick up two wounded EM and force the enemy remaining in the area to disperse. Ammunition expended 2000 rounds of .50 cal."
On the fourth picture he poses with Mary Ellen Aasen who was Erlings niece.
Source of information: Danny Dohmen, David. L. Chapman, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Minnesota Birth Index
Photo source: Nico Leers, John M Hicks