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name
PEW, Leonard Norris - Date of
birth
10 September 1921 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Missouri -
Hometown
Grundy County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17129317 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
497th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
28 May 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Abbeville, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
George W. Pew (father)
Grace (Robertson) Pew (mother)
Floyd W. Pew (brother)
Anna M. Pew (sister)
Chester M. Pew (brother)
Mary L. Pew (sister)
Dale W. Pew (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95920 -
Data
Type: B-26B50
Nickname: Smilin Joy
Destination: Amiens, France
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 5140
More information
Leonard Pew graduated from Trenton High School in 1939 and attended college for one year and was an airplane mechanic. He was sent overseas in January 1944.He volunteered for the Army of the United States at fort Leavenworth, Kansas on 13 November 1942.
The plane was hit by flak over the target in the right engine. It left formation and the right propeller was feathered. The plane turned left off course southwest of Doullens and took a 300 degree course. The plane was escorted by two or more P-47´s.
The pilot, 1st Lt James Reynolds, who was flying the aircraft after the regular pilot and crew were on a R&R break, was shot and killed while he descended by parachute.
Two crew members were taken prisoner and two men evaded capture and managed to return to England.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com