Henry Sherman Karger

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-5600.jpeg UPL 5600 2nd LT. Henry S. Karger, USAAF Co-Pilot

Associated to Henry Karger.

Object Number - UPL 5600 - 2nd LT. Henry S. Karger, USAAF Co-Pilot

Killed in Action (KIA) 26 March 1945

March 25, 1945

3rd Air Division units, including the 34BG were recalled shortly after take-off due bad weather and the increasing possibility of adverse conditions upon return. Upon take-off one 34 BG plane crashed near the base killing the crew of 9 airmen, according to Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Diary.

B-17G #44-8605 B/H Homesick Angel crashed shortly after take-off for the cancelled mission.

(5 photos in the 26 March 1945 file.)

KIA BENNETT LESTER S JR (P) 1 LT 18 O-767466

KIA KARGER HENRY S (CP) 2 LT 18 O-720082 (listed as dying 3-26-45)

KIA BERTINO LOUIS J (N) 2 LT 18 O-1312870

KIA LEWMAN KENNETH W (Tog) SGT 18 39341658

KIA DILLEY ROGER R (R) T/SGT 18 32924461

KIA PICKETT OCKO P (E) T/SGT 18 36876916

KIA VERMAN RALPH C (BG) SGT 18 16275224

KIA JOHNSON WILLIAM T (WG) S/SGT 18 15140404

KIA KORDAS CHESTER J (TG) SGT 18 20630647



BENNETT LESTER S JR is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, A-1-26.

JOHNSON WILLIAM T is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, A-6-16.



From the files of Walter Sturdivan, quoted from MM, September 2004, p. 11. "Lt. Bennett took off in aircraft B-17G #44-8605 at 0601 hours on an operational mission. At 0615 the aircraft was seen to start into a spin and pull out. The tail section broke at Station 5 and the plane spun into the ground and exploded. The pilot is believed to have executed a violent maneuver to avoid collision with another aircraft, inadvertently stalling and starting into a spin. Due to the extremely low altitude, a sharp pullout was attempted causing the aircraft to break in two. The Yellow Squadron aircraft plummeted to earth between the bomb dump and the dispersed planes on the airdrome. After striking the ground, all but one of the bombs exploded. Ordinance personnel later removed said bomb. When the Fire Equipment came on scene there was little that could be done except cover the burning spot fires in the area. The fire fighters returned three times during the day to cover an engine with foam. The entire crew perished."

http://valortovictory.tripod.com/b17s/44-8605.htm

Connections

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Units served with

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8309) nicknamed "Ol' Buddy" of the 18th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Mendelsham. Pete Gray was the aircraft's crew chief. Handwritten caption on reverse: '18th B.S. 34th BG. Pete Gray C/C.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Homesick Angel : Happy Warrior
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

26 March 1945

Born

Bronx, Bronx County, New York, USA

Buried

Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri, USA Mount Carmel Cemetery

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added Middle name per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 94771501.
Updated Born event and Added Buried event per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 94771501.
SOURCE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94771501/henry-sherman-karger
Added punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.

Date
ContributorFKarger
Changes
Date
ContributorFKarger
Changes
Date
ContributorFKarger
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / H. Province, Roll of Honor

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