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name
SPADAFORA, Onofrio Freddie - Date of
birth
18 July 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
New York City, New York -
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12129244 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 February 1944 - Place of
death
Schweina, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 33 | 36 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Cosimo Spadafora (father)
Carmela (La Russa) Spadafora (mother)
Benny F. Spadafora (brother)
Mary Spadafora (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-109828 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Destination: Gotha, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aviation industry
MACR: 2927
More information
T/Sgt Onofrio F. Spadafora volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in New York City, New York on 2 September 1942.Eyewitness reported seeing the aircraft smoking and one engine feathered. Enemy fighters went after them and the tail gunners of the formation opened up to help but the enemy fighters hit the no. 2 engine, the propeller stopped turning and the engine exploded. Seven parachutes were observed.
Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Five were killed. Their bodies were found in the wreckage.
Spadafora bailed out the plane and was shot down near Schweina, Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – John Dowdy
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Major M / Jaap Vermeer, www.ancestry.com - Rick