Killed in Action (KIA) Crashed at Gottesgab in B-17 #43-38047.

WWII uncovered: Honoring the Heroes We Lost

Second Lieutenant Philip D Pitts, of St Charles Virginia, who served as a Bombardier with the 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group. 

Philip graduated from the Army Air Forces Bombardier School in Deming, New Mexico on March 18, 1944 - Class 44-4. Philip started as a Private, was promoted to Corporal and successfully completed Officers Candidate School in Santa Ana California with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant Pitts was stationed at RAF Thorpe Abbotts in Eastern England from August 1944 until September 11, 1944 when his aircraft B-17G "Innocent Bystander" (#43-38047) crashed near Gottesgabe, Germany. Initially thought to be missing in action - the crew of First Lieutenant and pilot Joseph Raine were confirmed as casualties in the early months of 1945. Originally interred in France the crew was later repatriated to the United States in December of 1949.

Philip was only 24 years old at the time of his passing.

A recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, Second Lieutenant Phillip David Pitts lies in rest at Maness Cemetery in Saint Charles Virginia with his parents Ellis and Parthena B. Pitts. 

Original description and photo submitted by Karen Pitts in honor of her uncle Philip Pitts