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Personal info

Full name
SPRINGER, Harry Stoner
Date of birth
23 December 1913
Age
30
Place of birth
Uniontown, Fayette County, New Jersey
Hometown
Hillsdale, Bergen County, New Jersey

Military service

Service number
12093884
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
835th Bombardment Squadron,
486th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
28 September 1944
Place of death
Merseburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Elizabeth Springer (mother)
R. E. Springer (brother)
James E. Springer (brother)
Hester Springer (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38110
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Marge
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Strategic Bombing
MACR: 9420

More information

Harry Springer volunteered for the Civilian Air Patrol program and completed his training at Bergen Junior College at which time he was accepted into the military. He first trained with a glider command at Lubbock Field, Texas, and later received training at Yuma Airfield in Arizona, where he earned his wings in February 1944.

His two brothers also served during the war.

They were flying lead of the "B" group. The aircraft took a hit from FLAK just before bombs away, which resulted in the breaking in two of the aircraft near the waist windows. The tail section fell, striking another aircraft.

Source of information: FOHF, Carla Mans, WWIIMemorial.com, Footnote.com, 486th.org, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: Jac Engels, The Record 29 December 1944