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Personal info

Full name
PAUL, George Edward
Date of birth
19 July 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Chatham, Columbia County, New York
Hometown
Oakland County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36557309
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Engineer
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 August 1944
Place of death
5 kilometers northeast of Burgliebenau, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
E 14 16

Immediate family

Members
Louis K. Paul (father)
Bertha F. (Parker) Paul (mother)
Harry L. Paul (brother)
James Paul (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97291
Data
Type: B-17
Nickname: Myasis Dragon
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna synthetic oil plant
MACR: 8212

More information

The airplane suffered a direct hit in the bomb bay on the bomb run at 1205 hours. The first salvo of three shells took out the #3 engine. The second one exploded under the radio room. The third flak burst came right into the bomb bay, exploding between the two bomb racks. The B-17 immediately became an inferno. Within seconds Myasis Dragon disintegrated in a large explosion which showered several aircraft in the formation with debris.

Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Seven men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.303rdbg.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930-1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Wendy Lensink, www.303rdbg.com