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Personal info

Full name
BELL, Charles Robert
Date of birth
17 August 1919
Age
23
Place of birth
Raccoon, Putnam County, Indiana
Hometown
Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
35358168
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Gunner
Unit
368th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
17 April 1943
Place of death
North Sea, north of Bremen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 13 39

Immediate family

Members
Jacob Bell (father)
Stelle (Overpeck) Bell (mother)
Rosemary Bell (sister)
Louise Bell (sister)
Dale Bell (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-5251
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Bodacious Critter
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Focke-Wulf aircraft factory
MACR: 15519

More information

S/Sgt Charles R. Bell graduated from Rockville High School.

He enlisted in Indianapolis, Indiana on 23 June 1942.

The airplane was hit by flak. Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Three men were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com - The Call-Leader

Photo source: Henri Hannon, www.ancestry.com - Rockville High School Yearbook