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name
BETHEL, Bruce F - Date of
birth
30 November 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Washington -
Hometown
New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-522803 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
513th Fighter Squadron,
406th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
29 September 1944 - Place of
death
Linsweiler, near Landau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 29 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Brinley W Bethel (father)
Constance C. (Hewitt) Bethel (mother)
Donna E Bethel (sister)
Brinley M. Bethel (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-26863 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: Landau, Germany
MACR: 9291
More information
Lt Bruce F Bethel was attacked from dead astern at approximately 100 yards. I called him three times to break, but he apparently didn’t hear me. The 109 opened fire at point-blank range. As there was one attacking me head on, I hesitated and then broke into Lt Bethel’s attacker. I noticed Lt Bethel’s ship roll over and head straight down.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, 1920 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten