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name
KRAMER, Norman Reuben - Date of
birth
2 March 1926 -
Age
18 - Place of
birth
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California -
Hometown
Glendale, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19207020 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Aerial Gunner -
Unit
776th Bombardment Squadron,
464th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 October 1944 - Place of
death
Leonding, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 8 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Carl Kramer (father)
Elizabeth M. (Kautz) Kramer (mother)
Beatrice (Claypool) Kramer (stepmother)
Elinor Kramer (sister)
Ethel P. Kramer (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-51389 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Flying Box Car, Flying Coffin
MACR: 9132
Destination: St. Valentin, Austria
Mission: Bombing the tank factory
MACR: 9132
More information
Norman Kramer was a student at Stanford University when joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Mac Arthur, California, on 21 January 1944.The airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, which blew off at least 25 feet of the left wing. The plane veered to the left, almost hitting another airplane and fell to the earth.
Eight crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Leonding, Austria, on 17 October 1944. One man survived and was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Archives.gov, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com