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name
BANTA, Marshall C - Date of
birth
2 May 1918 -
Age
25 -
Place of birth
Shelby County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35671019 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 December 1943 - Place of
death
Liry, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 21 | 42 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Erasmus B. Banta (father)
Henrietta T. (Hower) Banta (mother)
Grace B. Banta (sister)
Peter R. Banta (brother)
Annabell Banta (sister)
Virginia D. Banta (sister)
Neale W. Banta (brother)
Barbara K. Banta (sister)
Dorothy Y.Banta (sister)
Robert R. Banta (brother)
Ruby J. (Jones) Banta (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5861 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Laden Maiden
Destination: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of an oil plant
MACR: 2020
More information
Sgt Marshall C. Banta employed at the Silver Fleet Motor Express before he enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio on 9 November 1942.The airplane was hit by flak at 12:35 hours and dropped out of formation. At various times on the route from the target both #3 and #4 engines were feathered and started again. At one time the aircraft was able to regain its position in the formation, but in some reshuffling of the formation, it dropped behind just as some enemy fighters attacked at 13:42 hours. It was hit by three enemy aircraft from 9 o'clock low. It appeared that at least one of the three fighters fired a rocket into the ship at close range. The entire left wing caught fire and part of the tail section broke off. Diving towards the under cast it was followed by several enemy fighters. It appeared under control when last seen.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Banra Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – MAJ Jimmy Cotton
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy, www.ancestry.com – The Cincinnati Enquirer - 1 November 1943