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name
GAUTHIER, Leo A - Date of
birth
1921 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Rhode Island -
Hometown
Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11043949 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Turret Gunner -
Unit
527th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 June 1943 - Place of
death
Near Tossens, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 14 | 4 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Philibert H. Gauthier (father)
Alma R. (Bergeron) Gauthier (mother)
Hector Gauthier (brother)
Florine Y. Gauthier (sister)
Roland Gauthier (brother)
Francis R. Gauthier (brother)
Rita R. Gauthier (sister)
Therese Gauthier (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3138 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Eight Ball
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 1357
More information
Leo Gauthier was a sales clerk.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Providence, Rhode Island on 13 January 1942.
The formation was attacked by approximately 200 enemy fighters over the target. Two singled out this airplane. It exploded in mid-air.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight men were killed.
On 19 July 1943 S/Sgt Gauthier's body was recovered near Tossens, Germany. His body was very decomposed and had been in the water for several weeks. He was initially buried at the cemetery in Wesermunde on 23 July 1943.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Pawtucket Public Library