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name
APPLE, George Alfred - Date of
birth
27 September 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Liberty Township, Shelby County, Indiana -
Hometown
Waldron, Shelby County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-834930 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
343rd Fighter Squadron,
55th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 April 1945 - Place of
death
Near Dresden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 2 | 43 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George W. Apple (father)
Amy E. (Crisler) Apple (mother)
Rose E. Apple (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-15735 -
Data
Type: P-51D
MACR: 13918
More information
F/O George W. Bernardo reported: "I saw Lt Apple crash while firing at a Ju-88. He was low and to the left, 200 feet from me, when he bellied in before his target. He was firing at the time of contact with the ground and continued to do so for 30 feet when he pulled off. He gained 100 feet altitude, continuing a straight course for 100 yards. His plane at this time started to leak smoke and liquid from the engine and coolant from the radiator. He was making a gentle level turn to the left when his prop stopped turning and he fell in more or less flat. Upon contact with the ground, his guns were firing as though he were trying to pull out. The wings of his aircraft were broken off, and the fuselage was broken open at the cockpit. I flew over the wreckage several times but could not see movement."He had joined the 343rd Fighter Squadron in March 1945.
Source of information: Michel Beckers/Russ Abbey-55th Fighter Group Association, Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree / Headstone and Interment Record / Indiana Birth Certificate
Photo source: Michel Beckers/Russ Abbey-55th Fighter Group Association