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Personal info

Full name
BANOTAI, Charles George "Bonny"
Date of birth
27 January 1921
Age
24
Place of birth
Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-2064505
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
GEE/H Operator
Unit
534th Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
22 March 1945
Place of death
Feldhausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
K 1 20

Immediate family

Members
Stephen Bonatai (father)
Catherine (Poli) Banotai (mother)
Stephen F. Bonatai (brother)
Rose M. Bonatai (sister)
Joseph G. Bonatai (brother)
Francis L. Bonatai (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8175
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Dorsten, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the military camp
MACR: 13607

More information

1st Lt Charles G. Banotai graduated from William Allen High School in Allentown and attended college.

He enlisted in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 18 January 1943. After training in Hondo and Sheppard Field, Texas and at the University of Denver and Las Vegas, he was commissioned in June 1944. He was sent overseas in September 1944.

The aircraft received a direct hit between #3 engine and the fuselage, which caused a gas tank to explode. It burst into flames and went down in a slow spin. The tail broke off and the rest of the aircraft started breaking up.

One crew member survived and was taken prisoner, nine were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - The Morning Call

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - The Morning Call, www.ancestry.com - William Allen High School Yearbook 1939