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name
SPURRIER, Chester Lee - Date of
birth
2 October 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39560150 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
751st Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 November 1944 - Place of
death
The village exit of Kriegsdorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 14 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Roy W. Spurrier (father)
Hattie E. (King) Spurrier (mother)
Harvey J. Spurrier (brother)
Wayne W. Spurrier (brother)
Pauline R. Spurrier (sister)
James H. Spurrier (brother)
Rita P. Spurrier (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-106998 -
Data
Nickname: Paper Doll
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bernberg, Germany
Mission: Objective Bombing
MACR: 10322
More information
S/Sgt Chester L. Spurrier attende Dewey vocational School.He enlisted in Los Angeles, California, on 13 February 1943.
This was one of seven aircraft shot down from the low squadron. There was also one aircraft shot down from each of the lead and high squadron. The squadrons were flying in group formation. The confusion caused by the attack makes the accuracy of all reports doubtful. There were a number of reports from crew members about unidentified B-17s going down, with engines, wings, or tails on fire; about unidentified parachutes being seen; and about unidentified aircraft blowing up; and one or two reports about unidentified aircraft colliding. A/C 42-106998 was not identified by any eyewitness report.
T/Sgt John C. Bruggeman last saw Chester in good condition, coming to the waist door to jump. He was reported to be in a dazed condition also, but not wounded. It could be that he was anoxic or shocked with sudden fright. The radioman thought he was alright but looking queerly.
His brother, James H. Spurrier, is also buried at the American Cemetery in Margraten.
Source of information: Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1920/1930/1940 Census / Anderson Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, 457thbombgroupassoc.org, Press Telegram and Long Beach Sun - 4 October 1945