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Personal info

Full name
RUDNITSKY, Bud Erwin
Date of birth
7 June 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Otsego County, New York
Hometown
Unadilla, Otsego County, New York

Military service

Service number
12139763
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
578th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 May 1944
Place of death
Near Gevensleben, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
P 20 10

Immediate family

Members
Adam W. Rudnitsky (father)
Helma A. (Gillar) Rudnitsky (mother)
Helmar G. Rudnitsky (sister)
Iris L. Rudnitsky (sister)
Gail Rudnitsky (sister)
Stuart R. Rudnitsky (brother)
Edward H. Rudnitsky (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95060
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 4925

More information

Bud Rudnitsky worked in the electroplating industry.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Binghamton, New York on 25 September 1942.

A returning crew eyewitness stated that the aircraft was attacked from the tail position which forced it into a spin from which it later recovered, no parachutes were seen. German ground report stated that the bodies of seven crew members were found dead in the wreckage. Others had likely jumped. In fact all ten crew members were killed.

S/Sgt Rudnitsky was initially buried at the village cemetery of Gevensleben on 20 May 1944.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 392nd Bomb Group