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name
FREEMAN, Thomas Hamilton - Date of
birth
30 January 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas -
Hometown
Portland, Multonomah County, Oregon
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-766862 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
711th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 November 1944 - Place of
death
1 mile south of Gross Mimmelage near Quakenbruck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 38 | 33 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Arthur L. Freeman (father)
Louise (Hamilton) Freeman (mother)
Margaret Freeman (sister)
Katherine Freeman (sister)
George Freeman (brother)
Aline A. Freeman (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6571 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 10312
More information
Thomas Freeman graduated from Grant High School.The aircraft was struck by aircraft 44-6511 coming from the high section in the same squadron, just having lost an engine. It collided with 44-6571 and cut it in two at midship. When #1 and #2 engines caught it in the radio room, it went down immediately.
Eight crew members were killed. One survived and was taken prisoner.
Lt Freeman was initially buried at the cemetery of Quakenbrück, Germany, on 4 November 1944. When his remains were discovered in September 1948, Lt Freeman was initially designated as Unknown X-7848. After arrival at Ardennes, the remains were identified.
Airplane 44-6511 was able to crash-land at the Advanced Landing Ground A-93 in Bierset-Liège, Belgium, with no casualties.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-B, Pecos AAF, Texas, Grant High School, 1937