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name
BAILEY, Burnie Barton - Date of
birth
5 June 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Winnebago County, Illinois -
Hometown
Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-704870 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
82nd Squadron,
436th Troop Carrier Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Wesel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 5 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Franklin F. Bailey (father)
Helen L. (Smith) Bailey (mother)
Robert L. Bailey (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-100564 -
Data
Type: C-47A 65-DL
Nickname: Squirrelie
Destination: Wesel, Germany
Mission: Glider Tow
MACR: 13381
More information
1st Lt Burnie B. Bailey graduated from West High School in Rockford, Illinois and attended college.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Camp Grant, illinois on 16 September 1942.
The airplane's mission was towing gliders for Operation Varsity. It passed over the landing zone on the first approach but the gliders did not release. It circled over the autobahn for a second try. The gliders were released on this second attempt. The airplane was last seen flying northwest from the landingzone.
According to witness statements, at a certain moment the airplane was completely enveloped in flames but still under control at about 400 feet. One parachute was seen to come from airplane.
Four crew members were killed, one survived and was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: www.wwiimemorial.com, Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-A Mustang FD Oklahoma, www.ancestry.com - West High School Yearbook 1941