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Personal info

Full name
TROTTA, Michael John
Date of birth
26 December 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Attica, Wyoming County, New York
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York

Military service

Service number
12158002
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Left Waist 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
A 13 11

Immediate family

Members
Gennaro Trotta (father)
Anna (laPolla) Trotta (mother)
John Trotta (brother)
Clara Trotta (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
41-29470
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Laon Airfield, France
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 6242

More information

Sgt Michael J. Trotta enlisted the service on 23 October 1942 in New York City.
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 Trotta was buried at Eagle Cemetery Brussels, Grave 8, Section 10, Row 21.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch,Michel Beckers, 492nd Bomb Group, WWII Memorial, Fold3, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Michel Beckers, 492nd Bomb Group