Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
SAFFELL, Richard R
Date of birth
23 July 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
San Diego, San Diego County, California
Hometown
Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
37220975
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
401st Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 April 1944
Place of death
1 Km south of Herlefeld, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 36 51

Immediate family

Members
Susan Saffell (mother)
Esther A. Saffell (wife)
Diana Saffell (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97519
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Kassel airdrome, Germany
Mission: Bombardment
MACR: 4048

More information

This plane was shot down by a fighter over the target. It was seen going down, out of control, in a tight spiral, near Eschewege, Germany, just prior to bombs away. This was shortly after tail attack by an enemy aircraft.

T/Sgt Richard R. Saffell didn't bail out. He was wounded, called weakly over the inter-phone that he was hit bad. The pilot reported him hit in the chest by 20mm´s. His body was found in the wreckage. He was initially buried on 21 April 1944 at Herlefeld, Germany.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten