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name
OWEN, Burl M - Date of
birth
14 April 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Grimshaw, Young County, Texas -
Hometown
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18109164 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
360th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 June 1943 - Place of
death
Borgsweer, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 9 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William A. Owen (father)
Thelma M. Owen (mother)
William E. Owen (brother)
Billy L. Owen (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5390 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: The Avenger
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the shipyards
More information
S/Sgt Burl M. Owen worked in the petroleum industry.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Armyh of the United States in Tyler, Texas on 18 June 1942.
Because the primary target at Hamburg was obscured by clouds, scattered attacks were made on targets of opportunity in northwest Germany.
The airplane was shot down by enemy fighters. Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, 303rd Bomb Group, www.ancestry.com - Army Enlistment Records / Birth Certificates / 303rd Bomber Group, Heavy Historical Pages / Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census
Photo source: Wendy Lensink, 303rd Bomb Group