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name
TOURTELLOTT, Theodore Frank - Date of
birth
20 September 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Martin County, Minnesota -
Hometown
Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36446781 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
860th Bombardment Squadron,
493rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 September 1944 - Place of
death
Bielefeld/Johannistal-Wellenkotten, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 22 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Fay A. Tourtellott (father)
Emma A. (Kahler) Tourtellott (mother)
Carol J. Tourtellott (sister)
Evelyn F. Tourtellott (sister)
Joyce Tourtellott (sister)
Verna G. Tourtellott (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38115 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Reluctant Lassie
Destination: Bielefeld, Germany
MACR: 9429
More information
T/Sgt Theodore F. Tourtellott enlisted in Peoria, Illinois on 5 February 1943. He attended Galesburg High SchoolStatement from 1st Lt Robert W. Schottlekorb:
"It is strongly believed that the aircraft has been hit by a bomb (500 lb. G.P. - 1/10 tail - 1/40 nose fuzing) or bombs dropped from A/C in high element of 493rd "A" lead group.
A/C 115 (#43-38115) exploded almost immediately and dove straight down in a mass of flames breaking up completely. The majority of the crews reported seeing one chute (navigator, 2nd Lt Artemon P. Johnston). The navigator, when asked later, had no recollection what so ever about what has happened. The blast and debris from A/C 115 even caused the probable destruction of A/C 480 (#43-38480, MACR 9430), flying the No. 3 position in the high element. Eventually 7 crewmembers of #43-38115 were KIA, 1 MIA and 1 became POW/RTD."
The bodies of the crewmembers who were killed in action were first buried on 6 October 1944 at the Bielefeld-Senne cemetery.
Source of information: Cor van den Burg, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census / Family Tree, http://usaafdata.com/ - USAAF Personnel Records, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.ancestry.com - Galesburg High School Yearbook 1942