Melvin E Baumgartel
Military ROLL OF HONOURAssigned to 338BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF. 5 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) from Berlin in B-17 42-102541 8-May-44; A/C rammed by Me109, exploding due to wing tank fire. Assigned to 338BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 4574
Last seen by Pilot Capt George T. Sterler on flight deck, told to 'unbuckle from co-pilot seat, affix chute and bail out'. Didn't make it out.
Awards: PH.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046804 / O-676879
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12075947 / O-811604
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39907604
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18131450
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16013911
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 8 May 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Sewickley Heights, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States | 9 April 1922 | Son of Harry A. and Grace F. Baumgartel. |
Enlisted |
Pittsburgh, PA | 4 September 1942 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Died |
12 miles Sth of Hildesheim, Germany | 8 May 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) from Berlin in B-17 42-102541 8-May-44; A/C rammed by Me109, exploding due to wing tank fire. KIA MACR 4574 |
Buried |
Sehlem, Germany | 9 May 1944 | at the Sehlem cemetery, near Hildesheim, Germany |
Based Killed in Action (KIA) |
Snetterton Heath | 8 May 1944 | Assigned to 338BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Buried |
Returned for Internment in US - Source Tribune newspaper. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/29031437
https://www.fold3.com/image/541773577
https://www.fold3.com/image/121412766?rec=121412814
https://www.fold3.com/image/310763603?rec=299432696
https://www.fold3.com/record/83817077-melvin-e-baumgartel
https://archive.triblive.com/local/sewickley/remember-when-sewickley-am…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4574 / MACR 4574; Snetterton Falcons, pg 134 & 146 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database