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name
PURDY, Benjamin Moses - Date of
birth
19 April 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
West Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont -
Hometown
Hampden County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31126122 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
548th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
26 July 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, off the East Frisian Islands, 35 miles from the nearest land, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Herbert M. Purdy (father)
Rebecca F. Purdy (mother)
Edmond M. Purdy (brother)
Marcus D. Purdy (brother)
Leah F. Purdy (sister)
Ruth F. Purdy (sister)
Marion E. Purdy (sister)
Minerva D. Purdy (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30281 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 191
More information
T/Sgt Benjamin M. Purdy was a chauffeur before he enlisted in Springfield, Massachusetts on 15 June 1942.The plane blew up before hitting the water. It had been on fire and seemed to be trying to ditch. No parachutes were reported from this plane.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, WWIIMemorial.com, Fold3.com, www.ancestry.com Turner Family Tree, www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: Basher82.nl, Peter Schouteten