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name
BEENES, Albert - Date of
birth
23 October 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36648589 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
551st Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 October 1944 - Place of
death
500 m west of Liepe, near Brandenburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 41 | 45 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Martin Beenes (father)
Sophia V. Beenes (mother)
Gerbin Beenes (brother)
Joanne Beenes (sister)
Harriett Beenes (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-98010 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 9523
More information
Sgt Albert Beenes graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1942.He enlisted on 15 March 1943 while he worked in the chemical laboratory of the Benj. Harris Co. in Chicago Heights.
At 1207 hours, at the I.P., enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group strength to 2 B-17s (which two is undetermined). The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. Attacks were very aggressive and sudden.
No exact information of the attack is available because no B-17 of the Group concerned returned.
Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner. Eight men were killed. They were initially buried at the community cemetery of Liepe on 8 October 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, www.wiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.newspapers.com - The Pointer
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - The Pointer, www.ancestry.com - Thornton Township High School Yearbook 1942