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Personal info

Full name
NORDEEN, Benjamin Eric Jr
Date of birth
12 February 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Oakland, Alameda County, California
Hometown
Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California

Military service

Service number
O-733431
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Navigator
Unit
526th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 November 1943
Place of death
Grossenging, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 33 25

Immediate family

Members
Benjamin E. Nordeen (father)
Ingeborg (Windlund) Nordeen (mother)
Robert Nordeen (brother)
Richard Nordeen (brother)
Russell Nordeen (brother)
Sonnie S. Nordeen (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39779
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1331

More information

According to witnesses the airplane was forced down to 150 meters of altitude after hits by fighters. When the airplane probably attempted to make an emergency landing, three pursuing fighters caused the crash by a last assault. The airplane crashed into a couple of trees. It is also possible the airplane was first hit by flak.

Eight crew members survived the crash and were taken prisoner. Two men were killed.

Lt Nordeen was killed by gunfire during the first attack.

Source of information: Jac Engels, Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree / California Birth Index

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.ancestry.com - School Yearbook University of California Berkeley, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 43-02, Victorville AAF, California