US Airman KIA

[stephen f. polyak]

A small, obviously old B&W photo in a recent issue of the Baltimore Sun newspaper (what’s left of it) caught my eye. A studio shot, it showed the face a young WW2 American airman; he was wearing a flight helmet and goggles. The photo appeared in the In Memorandum section of the obituaries. The caption read in part: “Lt. Charles F. Bacigalupa, August 8, 1944, 21 years, 3 months, 1 day, in defense of your country in the sky over Lonlay, France. Does this information connect with an aircraft combat event? Details appreciated.

[Peter Kassak]

Hi Stephen,

So:
Charles F. Bacigalupa was enlisted man.
He was from Maryland, Baltimore city
enlisted 17. Aug. 1942.
Born: 1923
married.
entered Air Corps

So it may be he was in action over France

Other source confirmed, that he died on Aug 8, 1944 as a 2nd Lt. [O716321] and is buried at Arlington Nat. Cemetery BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8458

he was member of B-17G Flying Fortress crew.The B-17 crew consisted of Jack R. “Tex” Thompson, pilot, David J. Nelson, co-pilot, Frank S. Bolen, bombardier, Charles F. Bacigalupa, navigator, Blake A. Treece Jr., radio operator, Richard R. Collins, waist gunner, Gerald F. Gillies, tail gunner, Warren D. Godsey, ball turret gunner and Henry F. Kortebein, top turret gunner.

complete crew:
A/C #367 (A/A fire)

1/Lt. Jack R. Thompson (P) Bretteville 8 Aug. 44
2/Lt David J. Nelson (CP)
2/Lt Charles F. Bacigalupa (N)
2/Lt Charles (NMI) Sherrill (B)
T/Sgt Henry F. Kortebein (TT)
T/Sgt Blake A. Treece, Jr. (RG)
Sgt. Warren D. Godsey (BTG)
Sgt. Richard R. Collins (WG)
Sgt. Gerald F. Gillies (TG)

identity of plane ois not mentioned but they sould be of 91.BG. which lost only one plane that day:
08.08.1944 serial 42-31367 B17G-15-BO MACR 8079 8.AF 91.BG 322.BS



http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/...releaseid=9862
http://www.merkki.com/bolenfrank.htm
http://www.fbmonitor.com/monitor/200...106/PDF/36.pdf
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/Dailies/322nd1944.html

Hope this helps just from brief google.com search

[shooshoobaby]

Stephan ,
# 42 - 31367 R " Chow Hound "
Hit by Flak - Exploded
Crashed near Gelnannes , Fr.
MACR # 8079
9 KIA
Mike

[fsbofk]

Attached is a copy of p. 144 from The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingbourn: The 91st Bombardment Group in World War II (Schiffer ), by Marion H. Havelaar, with some photos of "Chowhound," and some information about its fate. For what it's worth, Monogram's 1980's release of its 1/48 B-17G kit included decals for "Chowhound."

[stephen f. polyak]

Gentlemen,

The willingness of TOCH members to helpfully respond never fails to impress me - thank you!

Here's the photo and caption I referred to.

May he and the other crewmen rest in peace, eternally.

Best regards,
Steve