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name
KIDD, James Robert - Date of
birth
17 October 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Rockcastle County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35098597 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 January 1945 - Place of
death
Friesack, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 27 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James W. Kidd (father)
Maribel Kidd (mother)
Daniel E. Kidd (brother)
Mary A. Kidd (sister)
Fannie L. Kidd (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38526 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Star Buster
Destination: Derben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil storage
MACR: 11722
More information
Sgt James R. Kidd was a painter in construction and maintenance before he enlisted at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 15 March 1943.The aircraft was lost during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 Fw 190s and ME 109s at about 1240 hours. Due to the fact that the entire squadron was lost during this encounter, there are no particulars available on the attack and subsequent loss of this aircraft.
Three crew members were killed, six were taken prisoner. Victor J. Perrotta was shot dead when he tried to escape.
The crew members killed in the crash were initially buried at the community cemetery of Friesack on 16 January 1945.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWII Memorial, Fold3 MACR, www.ancestry.com - U.S.,
Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1920 census / 1930 census / 1940 census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - patootie / www.390th.org