9th AF Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

No Report

September 6, 1944, Wednesday

 

 

 WWII-Medal

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Summary
Aircraft Serial Number (Type): 43-9221 (Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc)

9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 671st Bomb Sq

Mission # 139; Box: II; Flight: 1; Position: 4; A/C Fuselage Code: 5C-F

Reason: Enemy anti-aircraft

Damage: Crash Landing, Battle damage

Point Of Departure: AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England

Location: Cherbourg Penninsula

Personnel
Duty Name Rank S/N Status
Pilot Merchant, William A. 1Lt O-806300 Not Injured
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner Harp, Clifford J. S/Sgt 15331635 WIA
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner Brown, Kenneth P. S/Sgt 35540545 WIA


Description:
On the return trip, when he was nearing the Cherbourg Penninsula, the right engine of Lt Wm. A. Merchant's airplane burst into flames. His two gunners, Staff Sergeants C.J. Harp and K.P. Brown, bailed out into the water and were later rescued. Lt Merchant crash-landed his plane on the Penninsula. Two tires blew on landing. Neither he nor his crew where injured.
(416th BG History 1944)

General Orders No. 186, 20 September 1944, Purple Heart is awarded to: 671st Bombardment Squadron (L), Clifford J. Harp, 15331635, Staff Sergeant, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received as a result of enemy action on 6 September 1944, while serving as Gunner on an A-20 airplane. Entered military service from Evansville, Indiana.

General Orders No. 186, 20 September 1944, Purple Heart is awarded to: 671st Bombardment Squadron (L), Kenneth P. Brown, 35540545, Staff Sergeant, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received as a result of enemy action on 6 September 1944, while serving as Gunner on an A-20 airplane. Entered military service from Defiance, Ohio.
(416th BG Purple Heart Awards (PDF))

See Mission # 139 for additional details