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name
BENT, Paul Charles Jr - Date of
birth
1 May 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Roanoke, Virginia -
Hometown
Roanoke, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-720133 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 April 1945 - Place of
death
Near Vipiteno, Italy
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 23 | 65 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Paul C. Bent Sr. (father)
Kathryn E. (Friend) Bent (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-51989 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Southern Belle
Destination: Vipiteno, Italy
Mission: Bombing of a railroad bridge
MACR: 13707
More information
1st Lt Paul C. Bent Jr. attended college before he joined the Regular Army in Miami Beach, Florida, on 19 February 1943.T/Sgt Harold Teague:
"I certify that while flying as engineer on #7 plane in the 2nd box, 2nd attack unit on a combat mission to Vipiteno, Italy, on 8 April 1945, I observed the following: Aircraft # 42-51989, yellow K, Lt Bent was #4 in the 2nd box, second attack unit. At 1125 hours, altitude 22,700 ft. it blew up over the target as a result of direct hit in the bomb bay. Ball of flame and observed aircraft to disintegrate. Tail turret and tail plane and wing blown off. No chutes."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Kutz Family Tree / Virginia Birth Records, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - Gerry Mitchell
Photo source: -