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name
BRENNAN, Richard Edmund - Date of
birth
21 July 1913 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
San Diego, San Diego County, California -
Hometown
Burlingame, San Mateo County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39117715 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 May 1944 - Place of
death
Oderbergerstrasse 38/39
Berlin, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 8 | 29 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Elmund B. Brennan (father)
Caroline Brennan (mother)
Roger M. Brennan (brother)
Agnes L. Brennan (sister)
James A. Brennan (brother)
Mary L. Brennan (sister)
Juanita E. Brennan (wife)
Gordon Brennan (son)
Jacklyn Brennan (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31540 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Miss Donna Mae II
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4946
More information
S/Sgt Richard E. Brennan graduated from San Mateo High School and was employed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company before he enlisted in San Francisco, California on 19 December 1942.The plane had 10 crew members and 1 passenger, T/Sgt John B. Davis, on board. The airplane was hit by a 1000 lb. bomb from an aircraft flying overhead in the High Squadron. The tail section of the aircraft was broken off and the aircraft went down in what appeared to be a straight nose dive. One wing was observed to fall off when the aircraft was about 13,000 feet. Two parachutes were observed. This accident occured directly over the target on signal of bombs away.
The entire crew of 11 was killed and first buried at the POW Cemetery in Elsgrund-Döberitz between 24 and 31 May 1944. Between 30 November and 7 December 1946 their remains were disinterred and evacuated to Ardennes.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - The Times of San Mateo, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten