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Personal info

Full name
CAWOOD, Henry B
Date of birth
21 July 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
Harlan, Harlan County, Kentucky
Hometown
Harlan County, Kentucky

Military service

Service number
13034167
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
333rd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 October 1944
Place of death
Near Billroda, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 4 42

Immediate family

Members
James Cawood (father)
Lela (Smith) Cawood (mother)
James Cawood (brother)
Nancy Cawood (sister)
Lewis Cawood (brother)
Kila Cawood (sister)
Stella Cawood (sister)
Green B. Cawood (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38208
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Böhlen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkohle-Benzin AG (BRABAG) oil refinery
MACR: 9553

More information

T/Sgt Henry B. Cawood was a sales clerk.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Richmond, Virginia on 9 January 1942.

At approximately (5055N-1155E), 12 minutes before the briefed I.P. was reached, enemy aircraft made sudden attacks on the Group of which this aircraft was a member. The Squadron in which the aircraft was flying bore the brunt of the attacks. About 50 to 60 enemy aircraft comprised the attacking force. They were mostly FW-190´s although a few ME-109´s and ME-210's were observed. The attacks lasted for about 10 minutes and there were friendly fighters present, but not in sufficient numbers to give adequate protection.

This aircraft was last seen in the vicinity of the I.P. going down with its left wing on fire.

The aircraft was riddled by 30mm shells and was on fire immediately. The pilot and the co-pilot left the controls when they knew the situation was hopeless. They were unable to contact any other members of the crew due to the fire in the plane. The radio and the interphone were out. Before they could get the escape hatch open, the plane went into a spin.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, Kentucky Birth Index, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten