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Personal info

Full name
CAVANAUGH, Charles Dennis
Date of birth
24 December 1921
Age
21
Place of birth
Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
Hometown
Spooner, Washburn County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
36245355
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
510th Bombardment Squadron,
351st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
25 July 1943
Place of death
In the vicinity of Neumünster, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 18 7

Immediate family

Members
Dennis Cavanaugh (father)
Margaret Cavanaugh (mother)
Anna Cavanaugh (sister)
James Cavanaugh (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3272
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Captain Bill
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the shipyard
MACR: 92

More information

Charles Cavanaugh enlisted on 13 June 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hit by flak this aircraft left the formation in the target area with #3 engine smoking. The pilot tried to rejoin the formation but was shot down by fighters.

Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Four men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com