Melvin E Baumgartel

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Assigned 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

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • 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
Thomas  Montgomery
  • 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

Places

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.