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Personal info

Full name
CATON, Edward Leon
Date of birth
2 November 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana
Hometown
Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
15334295
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
327th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 February 1944
Place of death
5 miles north of Vailly-sur-Aisne, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
A 37 42

Immediate family

Members
Everett Caton (father)
Margaret E. (Bowman) Caton (mother)
Hershel L. Caton (brother)
Paul V. Caton (brother)
Cecil L. Caton (brother)
Ethel V. Caton (sister)
Delores L. (Miller) Caton (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-40032
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 2363

More information

Sgt Edward L. Caton worked on a farm before he volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 29 October 1942.

1st Lt Dale W. Kinert:
No 1 engine hit and leaking oil badly, fire behind pilot’s compartment. I saw 3 other chutes opened. The plane completely in flames before crashing.
Caton failed to bail out before explosion of aircraft.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.

He is remembered at the New Harmony Cemetery in Prairieton, Vigo, Indiana.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Christopher Stevens Family Tree, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – Vada L. Long / Russ Pickett / MAJ Jimmy Cotton

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Vada L. Long, www.ancestry.com - Disneydebb