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name
SAPIRO, Gilbert - Date of
birth
29 April 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York -
Religion
Jewish
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-687913 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
551st Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1944 - Place of
death
Between Hankenbüttel and Oerrel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 26 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ray Sapiro (father)
Rose Sapiro (mother)
Melvin Sapiro (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37959 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Esky
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 3317
More information
The airplane was attacked by two enemy fighters after the escorting fighters were diverted. It banked away from the formation with its #2 engine on fire, then it went into a dive. The airplane was disintegrating as it entered the undercast.Four crew members were taken prisoner, six men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Hankenbüttel.
Surviving crew members saw him dropping to the ground with his parachute not completely open. It was probably torn by the propellers.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: FOHF, www.findagrave.com