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Personal info

Full name
BITTINGER, Thomas David
Date of birth
9 August 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Shamokin Dam, Snyder County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13093094
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
410th Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 February 1945
Place of death
Bremen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 2 50

Immediate family

Members
Charles E. Bittinger (father)
Frances M. (Stetler) Bittinger (mother)
Hettie E. Bittinger (sister)
Frances M. Bittinger (sister)
John W. Bittinger (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38796
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: The Lad
Destination: Bremen, Germany
MACR: 12614

More information

Thomas D. Bittinger graduated from Sunbury High School and Susquehanna University. Upon completion of his second year in college, he aligned with the preparedness program as a civilian employee at the Middletown Air Depot, where he remained until he joined the colors. Sgt Bittinger volunteered for service in October, 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps in Rapid City, South Dakota. Upon completion of his training, he was a member of a crew to ferry their bomber from Lincoln, Nebraska, to the British Isles in September, 1944. They became members of the Eight Air Force, 94th Bomber Group of the 410th Bomber Squadron.

This aircraft was observed to drop out of formation 1,5 minutes before bombs away. When leaving the formation the aircraft made a dive downward, spin several times and then leveled off. It is reported that it is believed that a burst of flak hit the aircraft in the bomb bay area. Three chutes were observed to leave the aircraft.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Kathy McDermott, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Veterans Compensation Application File, www.newspapers.com - The Selinsgrove Times-Tribune

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Susquehana University School Yearbook 1943, The Daily Item - 4 May 1945