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Personal info

Full name
RANGEL, Fernando Barrios
Date of birth
29 November 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Hometown
Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas

Military service

Service number
38457458
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Engineer/Gunner
Unit
776th Bombardment Squadron,
464th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 December 1944
Place of death
Near Vienna, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
P 22 13

Immediate family

Members
Jose Rangel (father)
Concepcion (Barrios) Rangel (mother)
Catalina R. Guzman (sister)
Jose R. Rangel (half-brother)
Eugenio Rangel (half-brother)
Enrique Rangel (half-brother)
Antonio Rangel (half-brother)
Joe M. Rangel (brother)
Mary D. Rangel (sister)
Raimundo Rangel (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95337
Data
Nickname: Fast Number
Type: B-24H
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing a depot
MACR: 10390

More information

Sgt Fernando B. Rangel enlisted at Fort Sam, Houston, Texas on 26 March 1943.

Statement from Sgt Norman W. McCoulskey, Tail gunner, 776th Bomb Sq, 464th Bomb Gp.:
"I was flying as tail gunner in a B-24, Red R. Our ship was in NO. 31 position of Dog Box. As we went over the target, I saw Black E. In No. 31 position of our box drop her bombs. About a minute later I looked away and when I looked back to No. 31 position I was unable to see Black E. I observed a cloud of smoke that might have been flak or the remains of Black E. That is the last I saw of Black E".

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - WWII Draft Card, www.ancestry.com - Birth Record

Photo source: Jasper van Haren, Jolene Kiolbassa