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name
ANDREWS, Richard Charles - Date of
birth
15 September 1918 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa -
Hometown
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-731725 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
495th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 May 1944 - Place of
death
English Channel
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 24 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Arther C. Andrews (father)
Lelia L. Andrews (mother)
Robert A. Andrews (brother)
Howard F. Andrews (brother)
Harold L. Andrews (brother)
Paul E. Andrews (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95922 -
Data
Type: B-26B
Destination: Malo Les Bains, France
Mission: Bombing of the coastal defenses
MACR: 4515
More information
Richard C. Andrews graduated from Gruver High School and attended Estherville Junior College.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on 15 January 1942.
The airplane was hit by flak over the target, knocking out the left engine and igniting the fuel tanks.
The entire crew was able to bail out and landed in the English Channel, about four miles off the coast of Dunkirk, France. Four crew members were picked up out of the water and were taken prisoner. Two men died of exposure.
Lt Andrews was last seen by the pilot, Lt Finch, in the Channel, hanging on to Lt Finch's life raft until he froze to death. He died between three and five hours in the water.
His brother, Harold L. Andrews, is also buried is next to him.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.newspapers.com - Estherville Daily News
Photo source: Peter Schouteten