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name
PALMER, Philip E - Date of
birth
1 July 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California -
Hometown
Seattle, King County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-739047 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
533rd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 February 1944 - Place of
death
Opherdicke, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 20 | 5 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James C. Palmer (father)
Amelia W. Palmer (mother)
Marjorie E. Palmer (sister)
Ralph D. Palmer (brother)
James C. Palmer (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97474 -
Data
Nickname: Homing Pigeon
Type: B-17G
Destination: Oschersleben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factories
MACR: 2934
More information
Philip E. Palmer graduated from Garfield High School in 1938 and attended the University of Washington.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Seattle, Washington on 7 March 1942. He received his commission in February 1943 and was sent overseas in November 1943.
The airplane was attacked by German fighters and left the formation near Hameln, Germany. It was on fire and out of control.
Four crew members were taken prisoner, three men were killed and one man died of wounds later (2nd Lt Paul J. Ehmann). Apparently two men were able to escape captivity.
According to surviving crew members, Lt Palmer bailed out to low to the ground and his parachute did not open. He was initially buried at the main cemetery of Dortmund, the Prisoners of War section on 25 February 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, Washington State Honor Roll, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Garfield High school, 1945