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name
SUMOWSKI, Henry Joseph "Butch" - Date of
birth
24 July 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut -
Hometown
Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31276731 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 June 1944 - Place of
death
Boitsford-Brussels, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph A. Sumowski (father)
Genevieve M. Sumowski (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-29470 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Laon Airfield, France
MACR: 6242
More information
Sgt Henry J. Sumowski graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1941. He was active in sports and managed the baseball club of the St. Cyril Knights Club. He was employed as an apprentice printer by the Hartford Times.He enlisted on 29 December 1942 in Hartford, Connecticut.
This was a mission to level an enemy airfield at St. Cyr, France. It was sort of a revenge mission for the 492nd. The plane took a direct hit by flak over Brussels. Their right wing caught fire and blew off. The ship spun down and broke into two pieces. Only the radio operator and engineer, who were blown out of the plane, survived.
Sgt Sumowski was first buried at Eagle Cemetery Brussels.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, www.492ndbombgroup.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR / WWII Draft Card, www.newspapers.com - Hartford Courant
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.492ndbombgroup.com