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name
DI NICOLA, Louis Paul - Date of
birth
15 March 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33298993 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
551st Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 October 1944 - Place of
death
3 km south of Senske, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 7 | 23 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert Di Nicola (father)
Elsie (Scalzetti) Di Nicola (mother)
Mary Di Nicola (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8143 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 9516
More information
Louis Di Nicola was a construction worker before he enlisted in Erie, Pennsylvania on 5 November 1942.At 1207 hours, at the I.P., enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group strength to 2 B-17s (which two is undetermined). The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. Attacks were very aggressive and sudden.
No exact information of the attack is available because no B-17 of the Group concerned returned.
Three crew members were taken prisoner, and seven men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Senske, Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Academy High School 1942