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Submit- Full
name
THOMAS, Andrew R - Date of
birth
21 April 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Quebec, Canada -
Hometown
Wayland, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-767686 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
603rd Bombardment Squadron,
398th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 March 1945 - Place of
death
Near Schmachtenhagen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Andrew Thomas (father)
Alice M. (Perano) Thomas (mother)
Kathryn A. Thomas (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38562 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Kitty Kay
Destination: Oranienburg, Germany
Mission: Operational Bombing
MACR: 13090
More information
Kitty Kay was shot down by flak during a mission to Oranienburg, the plane was on fire. Andy was seriously wounded but kept the B-17 flying in circles until all men of his crew had left the ship. He was killed as he had tried to crash land the plane on a field east of the village Schmachtenhagen.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Beth Jensen, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.fold3.com, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 44-B Chico AAF California