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name
SORBINO, Joseph Gerald - Date of
birth
14 July 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Staten Island, Richmond County, New York -
Hometown
New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32766617 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
535th Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 February 1944 - Place of
death
Hajen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 18 | 5 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Lawrence Sorbino (father)
Margrete Sorbino (mother)
Gloria Sorbino (sister)
Lawrence Sorbino (brother)
Anna Sorbino (sister)
Thomas L. Sorbino (brother)
James P. Sorbino (brother)
Robert F. Sorbino (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31533 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Oschersleben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of airplane factories
MACR: 2931
More information
S/Sgt Joseph G. Sorbino graduated from Roosevelt Junior High School and was employed at the Mack Manufacturing Company.He enlisted on 23 February 1943 and was sent overseas in November 1943.
In the middle of the bomb run, the formation was attacked by FW 190's. Cannon fire perforated the vertical stabilizer of this airplane. After a little while, the pilot put down his bomb bay doors and landing gear and side-slipped to the left. As the airplane pulled out of the formation it was jumped on by more FW 190's. It was last seen losing altitude and dropping out of formation.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven men were killed. They were all found in the wreckage and were initially buried in Daspe, Germany on 26 February 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1950 Census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Sorbino Family