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name
BENNETT, Chester B - Date of
birth
9 August 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Washington, District of Columbia -
Hometown
Vestal, Broome County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-687530 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
407th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
30 January 1944 - Place of
death
Brunswick, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 43 | 37 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William E. Bennett (father)
Jessie M. Bennett (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30008 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Ready Teddy
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 2255
More information
Chester Bennett had reported as an aviation cadet at the Army Air Forces Basic Flying School at Goodfellow Field near San Angelo, Texas in 1943 for further flight training. Before that the Union-Endicott High School graduate had served two years as an enlisted man in the Army Air Forces. 2nd Lt Bennett was graduated from Ellington Field where he received his pilots' wings.The aircraft collided with another plane in mid-air. The cockpit window made contact with the bottom of the nose of the higher ship. The lower ship burst into flames and the plane blew up.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com - Press and Sun-Bulletin
Photo source: John T. Gorman www.wwiimemorial.com, Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - Press and Sun-Bulletin, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-G, Goodfellow Field, Texas, Pilot Class Book 43-G, Bruce Field, Ballinger, Texas