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name
SCHAEFFER, Homer Howard - Date of
birth
6 May 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-767396 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
390th Fighter Squadron,
366th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
18 November 1944 - Place of
death
Grosshau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 10 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Howard Schaeffer (father)
Carrie M Schaeffer (mother)
Leon Schaeffer (brother)
Virginia Schaeffer (sister)
Dorothy Schaeffer (sister)
Norman V. Schaeffer (brother)
Yvonne M. (Burns) Schaeffer (wife)
William B. Schaeffer (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-20090 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: Hürtgen, Germany
Mission: Dive-bombing
MACR: 10573
More information
Homer Schaeffer graduated from Reading High and attended college.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Reading, Pennsylvania, on 25 August 1942.
Statement of 1st Lt John W. Fenney, who flew in the same mission: "I was flying Number four position in Red flight. I saw Lt Schaeffer go in on his dive-bombing run and pull off the target. Shortly after he pulled up, he said he was on fire and bailing out. I saw him get out, but his chute did not open. I would estimate that he was going at least 300 MPH when he bailed out, and probably hit the tail surface. This happened at about 1445 hours near Grosshau, Germany."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1920 census / Headstone and Interment Record / Veteran Compensation Application File, Reading (PA) Eagle Obituary
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Reading High School - Arxalma Yearbook (Reading, PA) - Class of 1940; Gilad Bashan