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name
FICKEN, Lewis Paul - Date of
birth
21 April 1913 -
Age
31 - Place of
birth
Early Branch, Hampton County, South Carolina -
Hometown
Pocataligo, Jasper County, South Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14187836 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Toggler -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 November 1944 - Place of
death
Near the autobahn Frankfurt-Cologne
Ittenbach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 7 | 4 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Carl F.W. Ficken (father)
Helen R.W. (Jenny) Ficken (mother)
Carl F.W. Ficken (brother)
Wyman J.W. Ficken (brother)
Hubert C. Ficken (brother)
Lois M. Ficken (sister)
Hellen R. Ficken (sister)
Marie E. (Hinkle) Ficken (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31830 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Marie
Destination: Ostheim airfield, Cologne, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 10355
More information
T/Sgt Lewis P. Ficken was a sales agent.He volunteered for the Army of the United States at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 19 November 1942.
The airplane received two direct hits from anti-aircraft gunfire. #3 engine was completely blown off, right wheel came off and side panels above the bomb bay and above the wings were blown off also. The airplae peeled off to the right and went down in a moderately steep dive. It appeared to be partially under control. At that time #3 engine nacelle was on fire.
Seven crew members were taken prisoner, two were killed. Lt Boulter and T/Sgt Lewis F. Ficken were initially buried at the cemetery of Eudenbach on 11 November. Both were buried in a double grave. After the war, the remains of T/Sgt Ficken were recovered but the remains of Lt Boulter were never found. Lt Boulter is remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, 303rd Bomb Group, www.fold3.com - MACR, IDPF, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees
Photo source: Jeannick Tapella, www.findagrave.com - Loren Bender, The Atlanta Constitution - 6 April 1945