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name
CAMPBELL, Charles Burton - Date of
birth
29 September 1913 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Butler County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Tarentum, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32427536 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
527th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 December 1943 - Place of
death
Westerbeck, near Osterholtz-Scharmbeck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 15 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Alexander S. Campbell (father)
Irene C. (Grinder) Campbell (mother)
Claude W. Campbell (brother)
Margaret E. Campbell (sister)
Alice L. Campbell (sister)
Richard Campbell (brother)
Garner L. Campbell (brother)
Betty R. Campbell (sister)
Elsie G. (Storm) Campbell (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37851 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bremerhaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1719
More information
Sgt Charles B. Campbell was a metal worker. He enlisted at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York on 13 August 1942.The airplane was shot down by Hauptman Alfred Grislawski flying a FW-190 (J.G. 1) at 1146 hours at 27000 feet shortly after dropping their bombs on the target. With one engine on fire, the crippled B-17G began to lose altitude. The German fighters continued their attack and shot out the second engine on the left wing.
The left waist gunner, Benjamin Poweske, passed out due to lack of oxygen and was pushed out of the aircraft by the right waist gunner, Ralph Mantor, moments before the left wing separated from the aircraft causing a spin. Shortly afterward, the Radio Operator, Joseph Hennessey and Ralph were ejected when the aircraft exploded.
The remaining seven crew members were killed.
Sgt Campbell was initially buried at the cemetery of Army Post Wesermünde on 24 December 1943.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Michel Beckers, Astrid van Erp, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree / Veteran Compensation Application File, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Michel Beckers