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name
BURTON, Harlan Dalton - Date of
birth
25 August 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Sedalia, Pettis County, Missouri -
Hometown
Sedalia, Pettis County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37375829 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
511th Bombardment Squadron,
351st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 November 1943 - Place of
death
Off the coast of Mellum Island, north of Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Ollie Burton (father)
Euba Burton (mother)
Mildred G. Burton (sister)
Jessie N. Burton (sister)
Garlan E. Burton (brother)
Ima F. Burton (sister)
Verna L. (Newton) Burton (wife)
Vera C. Burton (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29852 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Fire Ball
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1160
More information
Harlan D. Burton became a truck driver at the age of 16, hauling cattle for his father.He was married to Verna L. Newton on 20 December 1941.
He enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 5 August 1942.
He flew 25 missions from 22 June 1943 to 3 November 1943.
During the bomb run, enemy fighters attacked the formation. A lower squadron B-17 pilot was shot through the head, and his aircraft pitched up, colliding with this aircraft. The mid air collision severly damaged the aircraft, and as it dropped out of formation, it was attacked by three enemy fighters. The waist gunners shot down two of them, but the B-17 exploded. Spinning downward, it crashed in the sea. Six of the crew survived and were taken prisoner. Four men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - 1930 Census, Memorial page
Photo source: Randy Burton, Peter Schouteten, Philip Squires via Arie-Jan van Hees