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Submit- Full
name
BERNARD, Leo E - Date of
birth
11 April 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11052803 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
578th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Oerdingen near Sulingen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 33 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Alfred Bernard (father)
Agnes M. (Lataille) Bernard (mother)
Beatrice Bernard (sister)
Florence Bernard (sister)
Alfred Bernard (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-7488 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Hellz-a-droppin
Destination: Vegesack, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft U-boat yards
MACR: 880
More information
S/Sgt Leo E. Bernard attended Leicester High School and worked in a shoe factory.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts on 1 June 1942.
The aircraft was shot down by Hptm Paul Szameitat in a Ju 88C-6 of NJG 3/5.
According to the surviving crew member reports, their aircraft was attacked by twin-engine enemy fighters at about 23,000 feet right after target in the vicinity of Belmanhorst, Germany.
Sgt. Bernard was positively identified from his dog-tags.
Eight crew members survived and were taken prisoner, two were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com