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name
BENTLEY, George Richard - Date of
birth
5 March 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California -
Hometown
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39560146 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
708th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 April 1944 - Place of
death
Destedt, 7 miles east of Braunschweig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 31 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William H. Stinson (stepfather)
Edna K. (Stinson) Bentley (mother)
Barbara A. Bentley (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31144 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Rowdy Rebel
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4247
More information
S/Sgt George R. Bentley was a metalworker.He enlisted in Los Angeles, California, on 13 February 1943.
The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters and knocked out of formation. It was then attacked again and was last seen diving into cloud cover, still under control, but engine #2 was smoking. Three parachutes were observed.
One crew member survived and was wounded. He was taken prisoner and transported to the hospital in Braunschweig. Nine crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the village cemetery of Destedt on 30 April 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Arthur Jansen, Carla Mans, WWIIMemorial.com, Archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - The Tired Genealogist