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Personal info

Full name
ROTUNDA, Charles E
Date of birth
8 April 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York

Military service

Service number
20272194
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 February 1944
Place of death
Baltic Sea near Rostock, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 41 25

Immediate family

Members
Edward N. Rotunda (father)
Adeline (Catena) Rotunda (mother)
Mary C. (Kelly) Rotunda (stepmother)
William Rotunda (brother)
Anthony Rotunda (brother)
Emerigo A Rotunda (half-brother)
Helen A. Rotunda (half-sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31349
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Stars & Stripes 2nd Edition
Destination: Rostock, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Heinkel aviation industry
MACR: 2777

More information

T/Sgt Charles E. Rotunda was a stock clerk before he joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Camp Stewart, Hinesville, Georgia, on 7 August 1941.

The primary target of the 304 bombers were the oil refineries of Poznan, Poland, but due to cloud cover 263 bombers diverted to the secondary target of Rostock.

The plane was last sighted in the vicinity northwest of Rostock, Germany, over Mecklenburg Bay. It had earlier sustained rocket attacks from two JU 88s which caused the loss of one engine and subsequent lagging on the formation. It dropped about 1,000 feet below the formation and was jumped by three enemy aircraft, which set the number 3 engine on fire. The plane was last seen, under control, gliding toward cloud cover with a JU 88 and ME 110 following it. Seven parachutes were sighted. The entire crew of 10 was killed.

He was initially buried at the New Cemetery at Rostock on 26 February 1944. An American investigation team disinterred his remains between 9 and 11 April 1947 and evacuated them to Ardennes.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card, 1920, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten