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name
FEATHERS, George Austin - Date of
birth
14 January 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Queen, Bedford County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Claysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33757494 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Turret Gunner -
Unit
603rd Bombardment Squadron,
398th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
4 August 1944 - Place of
death
Baltic Sea, on Freesendorf beach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Archie Feathers (father)
Christine Feathers (mother)
Clair Feathers (sister)
Ethel Feathers (sister)
Margaret Feathers (sister)
Walter Feathers (brother)
Dorothy Feathers (sister)
Archie Feathers (brother)
Freeman Feathers (brother)
Jack Feathers (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-107186 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Peenemunde, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the V-2 rocket test site
MACR: 7708
More information
Statement of T/Sgt William F. Coombs, crew member of another airplane in the same formation:"We had dropped our bombs on the target at Peenemunde, Germany and had just passed over the target when a flak battery started to group or box their shots on the high group. It was observed at least four large bursts completely covering the left wing of Lt Mac Arthur´s ship when suddenly the ship quivered, shook and belched forth in a large red flash. Instantly it fell from the formation falling to our right. I observed as it passed me that the right wing was still intact although the left was burning furiously and in several parts one of which the engine was still burning and continued to do so until it hit the water just south of the target area. I observed no chutes coming from the plane and also the plane was black which must have been caused by the terrific explosion. As the plane passed me it was in a terrific power dive and it looked as if the remaining engines were still functioning."
Seven crew members were killed in the crash, two died of wounds later.
Sgt Feathers drowned and his remains washed ashore at Freesendorf beach. He was initially buried at Wusterhusen cemetery on 15 August 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, Headstone and Interment Records, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten