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name
LELLY, Courtney Urban - Date of
birth
21 May 1925 -
Age
19 -
Place of birth
St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri -
Hometown
St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34793185 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
335th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 March 1945 - Place of
death
Near Schönbeck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 17 | 32 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles C. Lelly (father)
Marie L. C. (DeLorme) Lelly (mother)
Charles D. Lelly (brother)
Kenneth H. Lelly (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102450 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Paisano
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Büssing-NAG - armored and military vehicle factory
MACR: 12889
More information
Sgt Courtney U. Lelly graduated from St. Lucie County High School with class of 1943 before he enlisted at Camp Blanding, Florida on 18 September 1943.Capt David E. Olsson:
B-17G 42-102450, piloted by 2nd Lt Duncan, was involved in a midair collision a few minutes after bombs away at 52 09’ N, 10 48’ E at 1024 hours. The aircraft seemed to be caught in prop wash and drifted over to the left, the tail hitting the right wing of another aircraft, and apparently, from the violent action, the tail was torn off just beyond the ball turret. No chutes were observed, but one object was seen falling out of the tail section. The plane rolled down and was seen to explode when it hit the ground. All 9 crew members were killed.
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 / Lelly Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Albert Ledoux, www.newspapers.com – Fort Pierce Tribune - 22 March 1945
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Denise Kellam/ McCortmann