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name
IVEANS, Thomas Jr - Date of
birth
17 June 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19082272 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
711th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1945 - Place of
death
Hamm, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 33 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas Iveans (father)
Pearl Iveans (mother)
Markl Iveans (brother)
Violet Iveans (sister)
Jessie Iveans (sister)
Mary M. (Lang) Iveans (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31582 -
Data
Nickname: Ol' Scrapiron
Type: B-17G
Destination: Holzwickede, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 13617
More information
Thomas Iveans, Jr. attended Salem High School and worked in an aircraft factory.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California on 6 April 1942.
Due to bad prop wash, the low element of the high squadron dropped 2,000 feet below the formation. Unable to regain its proper position, this element joined the 34th Bomber Group. B-17 #43-38971 of the 34th Group was hit by flak and peeled off to the left. After glancing off another aircraft, it struck B-17 #42-31582 which went into a tight spin. The right wing folded, and there was an explosion within the airplane in mid-air. It hit the ground in a wooded area and exploded again.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner; seven men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.447bg.com, WWII Draft Cards, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten