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Personal info

Full name
FAITH, Edgar Clarence
Date of birth
12 September 1918
Age
24
Place of birth
Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa
Hometown
Denver County, Colorado

Military service

Service number
18070690
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Gunner
Unit
328th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
1 August 1943
Place of death
Ploesti, Romania

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 36 20

Immediate family

Members
Clarence C. Faith (father)
Ellen M. (Olson) Faith (mother)
Verla H. Faith (sister)
Rosco W. Faith (brother)
Gladys N. Faith (sister)
Hugh N. Faith (brother)
Ester T. Faith (sister)
Jacqueline F. Faith (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-40997
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Hell's Wench
Destination: Ploesti, Romania
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 331

More information

S/Sgt Edgar C. Faith volunteered for the Army of the United States on 12 March 1942.

Three miles from the target, the bomber was badly damaged by enemy ground fire and set on fire. More than 230 anti-aircraft guns, supported by many barrage balloons, smoke pots and German fighter planes were in the area of the refineries. Lt Col Addison E. Baker, the pilot and Maj. John L. Jerstad, the co-pilot, ignored the fact that they were flying above a field suitable for a forced landing. They kept on course. After the bombs were released on the target, they kept on trying to give the plane more altitude so the crew members could bail out, but the fire in the ship became so intense that it made further progress impossible. The airplane crashed into the target area, killing erverybody on board. Lt Col Baker and Maj Jerstad were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, WWIIMemorial, Archives, www.ancestry.com - Sharon Faith Glenn, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Sharon Faith Glenn