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Personal info

Full name
YOUNG, Clay Eugene
Date of birth
17 July 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Finey, Henry County, Missouri
Hometown
Fairview, Henry County, Missouri

Military service

Service number
17129222
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Mechanic/Gunner
Unit
669th Bombardment Squadron,
416th Bombardment Group, Light
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
16 September 1944
Place of death
Oosterschelde, Flushing, Holland
7 Km SW of Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 3 20

Immediate family

Members
Clay Young (father)
Fannie Young (mother)
Mary E. Young (sister)
James A. Young (brother)
Cleo M. Young (sister)
Ellajean F. (Sharp) Young (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-21767
Data
Type: A-20G-45
Destination: Zuid-Beveland, the Netherlands
Mission: Operational
MACR: 9103

More information

Target was the road and railroad junction southeast corner of Zuid-Beveland in the Netherlands. Airplane was seen to go down in flames at the Southeast corner of Oosterschelde Bay. Two parachutes were seen drifting towards Bergen op Zoom. The airplane crashed at 1815 hours in the water about one quarter of a mile from land. All three crewmembers died and were initially buried at different sites.

S/Sgt Clay E. Young was initially buried at the Military cemetery at Bergen op Zoom and after the war buried at the American War Cemetery at Neuville-en-Condroz. The pilot, 2nd Lt Andre J. Vleghels is buried in Luxembourg and Armorer Gunner S/Sgt Robert W. Rice is buried in St. Avold, France.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Kansas City Star - 4 October 1944