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Personal info

Full name
HOWINGTON, Luchous Luke
Date of birth
9 May 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Winnsboro, Franklin Parish, Louisiana
Hometown
Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
38387966
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
704th Bombardment Squadron,
446th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
15 October 1944
Place of death
Airbase Brustem
St. Trond, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
G 7 4

Immediate family

Members
William R. Howington (father)
Prudie Howington (mother)
Dora Howington (sister)
Charlie Howington (brother)
Clarence Howington (brother)
Carol L. Howington (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
41-29128
Data
Nickname: Lady Luck
Type: B-24H
Destination: Cologne, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard

More information

The aircraft was being flown by 1st Lt Glen E. Rowe and his crew on Mission 171 to Cologne when it was hit by flak crossing the Rhine on the return. #4 Engine was lost immediately and #1 went out ten minutes later. Both were feathered and, as the plane was losing altitude, the crew threw out guns, ammunition, etc. Lt Rowe decided to land on St. Trond airfield. On the approach, realizing he was landing long, he tried to go round again but the plane crashed, ripping off the landing gear and fire broke out in the bomb bay and fore of this. Lt Rowe and the tail gunner, S/Sgt Howington were killed and the radio operator, T/Sgt Frank J. Janik, is believed to have suffocated.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.b24bestweb.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Amandine Jaunet - Henri-Chapelle Cemetery Associate