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name
SMITH, Maurice - Date of
birth
18 April 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Farm near Shannondale, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13084813 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
340th Bombardment Squadron,
97th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 April 1944 - Place of
death
Near Beiul, Romania
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 6 | 47 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Maurice L. Smith (father)
Laura L. (Yount) Smith (mother)
Madalyn B. Smith (sister)
Howard L. Smith (brother)
Fred M. Smith (brother)
Sara J. Smith (sister)
Charles N. Smith (brother)
Ethyl E. Smith (sister)
Phyllis Smith (sister)
Kenneth P. Smith (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97499 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Ploesti, Romania
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 3977
More information
While flying over Romania we were only a few minutes pass the target when one B-17 blew up. I could not see any fighters near, so I did not know the reason for it doing so. Shortly afterward, a B-17 out of the element just behind us was starting to lag and lost about a 1000 ft in altitude, right directly below us. I saw it being attacked by one fighter. I made one pass and nothing seemed to happen. I then circled and flew along with the B-17 off to one side. It then made another pass on the B-17 and our aircraft started to smoke, and seemed a little out of control. I saw two parachutes before the aircraft got into the clouds where I lost sight of it.Maurice Smith was unable to get out of the Ball Turret and his body was found in the aircraft by the enemy.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Shilling Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Peter Schouteten