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Personal info

Full name
KOSCIELECKI, Edward Joseph
Date of birth
3 March 1924
Age
19
Place of birth
Connecticut
Hometown
Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut

Military service

Service number
11103137
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
22 February 1944
Place of death
Near Burghausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
K 13 28

Immediate family

Members
Andrew S. Koscielecki (father)
Frances (Laskiewic) Koscielecki (mother)
John J. Koscielecki (brother)
Frank Koscielecki (brother)
Walter Koscielecki (brother)
Victoria F. Koscielecki (sister)
Pauline Koscielecki (sister)
Stanley Koscielecki (brother)
Joseph Koscielecki (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-64483
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Regensburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 2727

More information

Sgt Edward Koscielecki volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Hartford, Connecticut on 1 December 1942.

Statement from 1st Lt. Arnold M. Hanssen, Operation Officer: "On combat mission of February 22nd 1944 at approximately 15 minutes before reaching target, the formation was attacked by forty ME-110s, JU 88s and ME 410. Due to the battle that followed, together with the anti-aircraft fire which was accurate at the same time, the observation of the loss of Aircraft #483, piloted by 2nd Lt Joseph P. Merkle could not be determined. It is believed, from interrogation of crews, that the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of target from attack or enemy pursuit hits. Parachutes were observed to open from two of our aircraft, but the ships could not be identified as being the one in question."

Ten crew members were killed, only one survived and was taken prisoner.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Koscielecki Family Tree, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.44.html
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