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Personal info

Full name
HUDIBURG, Dale Benton
Date of birth
17 September 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma
Hometown
Payne County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
39133839
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Gunner
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 July 1944
Place of death
Near Grossorner, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 20 16

Immediate family

Members
Oscar H. Hudiburg (father)
Lillian B. (Carpenter) Hudiburg (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-110091
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Bold Venture
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
MACR: 7239

More information

Sgt Dale B. Hadiburg graduated from Stillwater High School in 1941.

The other group's lead ship (a Pathfinder supplied by the 389th BG) for the 453rd was hit by flak. Out of control that ship began to fly aimlessly across the path of the 492nd. O'Sullivan put his craft into a deep dive to avoid being ran into. Just after the near-miss with O'Sullivan it collided with Sgt Hudiburg's ship. The wing was sheared off. The plane stayed level for a moment, then suddenly broke into many pieces which went flying off in many directions at once. The only survivor from the plane was the bombardier.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, 492nd Bomb Group, Fold3, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Stillwater High School, 1941, Stillwater Gazette - 13 October 1944