Calvin Thomas Bladen

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Object Number - UPL 28035 - Sergeant Calvin T Bladen

Assigned to the 493rd BG on the 24th August 1944 with the Lt James Kittleson crew.
MOS 757 RADIO OPERATOR-MECHANIC-GUNNER
Flew 1st combat mission on 9th September 1944 as Radio Operator.
Shot down 12 September 1944 in AC #43-38098. Killed in Action (KIA).

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 493rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38420299
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35916197
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-772939
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35432219 at enlistment, then T-61537
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32921148
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 12 September 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Capitol Heights, Prince George County, Maryland 28 December 1916

Enlisted

Denver, CO, USA 12 April 1943

Other

Killed In Action (KIA)

12 September 1944 in the crash of B-17#43-38098, Hadmersleben, 4km SE of Oschersleben, Germany

Buried

14 September 1944 at the cemetery of Hornhausen, 4km NW of Oschersleben, Germany
Denver, CO, USA

Buried

Suitland, Suitland-Silver Hill, MD 20746, USA At Cedar Hill Cemetery

Revisions

Date21 May 2022 07:59:47
ContributorDarren Jelley
Sources

updated biography and added crew assignment
493rd BG Archives

Date20 May 2022 21:54:27
ContributorDarren Jelley
Sources

corrected position. flew 2 x missions with Kittleson crew, both missions as Radio Operator

details from 493rd BG records

Date26 Jul 2020 21:41:40
ContributorGCBladen
Sources

Per discussion with the subject's brother. While his normal assignment was radioman, he was a waist gunner for the fata part of this mission since the crew was one man short (waist gunner) .

Date23 Jul 2020 12:38:46
ContributorED-BB
Sources

Corrected date and place of birth (WWII Draft card)

Date23 Jul 2020 08:57:52
ContributorED-BB
Sources

MACR 8863

Date23 Jul 2020 08:25:34
ContributorEmily
Sources

Gary Balden, nephew states that Bladen served as both Radio operator and waist gunner during the mission he was lost on.

Date22 Aug 2018 12:41:02
ContributorDarren Jelley
Sources

493rd BG Archives
with Nephew present

Date27 Sep 2014 18:05:00
ContributorAAM
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8863 / MACR 8863, http://493bgdebach.co.uk/roster_list.php / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Calvin Thomas Bladen: Gallery (3 items)