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