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Personal info

Full name
DITTMER, Arthur Herman
Date of birth
30 November 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York

Military service

Service number
O-818843
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
68th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 August 1944
Place of death
Near Hannover, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
E 14 14

Immediate family

Members
Henry Dittmer (father)
Sophie Dittmer (mother)
William Dittmer (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-40098
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Lone Ranger
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 8273

More information

Remarks or eyewitness statements:
"At 1127, #098 was seen to peel off from the formation with his right wing in flames. When last seen he appeared under control, and two chutes were seen."
Arthur H. Dittmer bailed out and he was killed by the German civilians on the ground.

Note: David Morgan, together with his group of amateur historians, has been researching the 44th Bomber Group and Shipdam Airfield for 35 years and found dogtags of Lt Dittmer on the former grounds of the airfield on 21 June 2015.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Jos Habets, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-K, George AAF, Lawrenceville, Illinois