Harold Robert Christensen
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 21278 - Harold R Christensen, Eagle Grove, 91st BG, KIA
Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Merseburg. A/C B-17F 42-29741 suffered engine failure en route to target, which would not feather, aborted and as a lone A/C endured sustained running battle with Me109's. Having lost the fighters in cloud, headed for home, hedge-hopping hoping to avoid fighters. Hit by flak, 'Chris' was severely wounded in left arm, Co-pilot took over. 'Chris' crawled into nose where he was treated by his Nav and school friend 2Lt Kenneth C Homuth. Died later post crash landing at RAF Tangmere, from his wounds and blood loss. Killed in Action (KIA). 14-Oct-43.
Awards: DSC, AM, PH.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 21135517 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37375849
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19079342 / O-801069
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15110512 / O-672379
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32460810
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball turret
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Corn State Terror
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 368th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers 324th Bomb Squadron 401st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Eagle Grove, Iowa | 10 October 1921 | Son of Holger Martin and Nora [Hansen] Christensen. |
|
Enlisted |
Des Moines International Airport, 5800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA | 9 April 1942 | Fort Des Moines Iowa |
|
Other Killed in action |
Gamecock Terrace, Tangmere, Chichester PO20 2ES, UK | 14 October 1943 | Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Merseburg. Severely wounded by flak . Died later post crash landing at RAF Tangmere, from his wounds and blood loss. Killed in Action (KIA). 14-Oct-43. |
|
Buried |
15 October 1943 | Interred Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial | |
|
Buried |
Eagle Grove, IA 50533, USA | Re-Interred Rose Hill Cemetery Eagle Grove Wright County Iowa, USA | |
|
Based |
Bassingbourn | 14 October 1943 | Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Combat Chronology, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop & Hey p. 509-10, / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
