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Personal info

Full name
MOORE, Samuel Kyran
Date of birth
19 December 1921
Age
21
Place of birth
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan
Hometown
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
16086365
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
11 December 1943
Place of death
North Sea, 2 miles off Langeoog Island, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 14 13

Immediate family

Members
Ernest W. Moore (father)
Mary V. (Woodward) Moore (mother)
Bonita J. Moore (sister)
Ann T. Moore (sister)
Gloria V.C. Moore (sister)
Lowell W. Moore (brother)
Gwenyth Moore (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30168
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Slo Jo
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 1666

More information

S/Sgt Samuel K. Moore was a cabinetmaker before he volunteered for the U.S. Army in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on 26 September 1942.

According to witness statements of surviving crew members, the bombs exploded onboard the plane.

His body washed ashore on the Northern Beach of Langeoog Island and was found about 1000 hours on 21 December 1943. At the time, he was found with an EM identification card and also was identified by a clothing mark on the leather strap of his flying jacket. He was buried by the Germans on 22 December 1943 at the cemetery of Langeoog in row 1, grave 19, marked with a cross marked "Samuel McCord American Flier"

On or about 29 April 1946 he was disinterred, finding the report of interment in a bottle as identification, and re-interred temporarily at Ardennes Block O, Row 4, Grave 99.

He was disinterred from his temporary plot on 17 November 1948 and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket on 29 Nov 1948.

He was given his final resting place on or about 10 Jun 1949.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, William H. Shay, WWIIMemorial, Archives, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil

Photo source: John Mish, www.findagrave.com - Richard Mullally, www.americanairmuseum.com