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Personal info

Full name
PROUDFOOT, John
Date of birth
24 December 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
Hometown
Inyo County, California

Military service

Service number
O-772723
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
413th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 July 1944
Place of death
Böbber, 30 miles southwest of Hannover, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 3 15

Immediate family

Members
John L. Proudfoot (father)
Lucy Proudfoot (mother)
Robert K. Proudfoot (brother)
Betty J. (Caraway) Proudfoot (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97262
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 7808

More information

2nd Lt John Proudfoot graduated from Redondo Union High School. He also attended college and worked in an automobile factory.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Los Angeles, California on 15 October 1942.

The airplane was seen to break formation on route home with n° 3 engine feathered and bomb bay doors still open. It was seen to lag behind for half an hour before it broke in two and disappeared into the clouds.

The entire crew of nine was killed. They were initially buried at the village cemetery of Bakede, Germany on 30 July 1944.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Peter Schouteten