Laverne Thomas Pratt
MilitaryDitched into North Sea off the Frisian Island of Norderney, Germany on 6 October 1944 in B-17 'Red Hot Mama' #43-37821. He and the 8 other crew members were on board a rescue raft when they were captured by a German patrol boat 6-7 October 1944. Prisoner of War (POW).
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37567091
- Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18242677
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12122399 at enlistment, then O-723453
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Riverdale, Buffalo County, Nebraska | 6 April 1918 | |
|
Enlisted |
9 June 1943 | ||
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
6 October 1944 | Stalag Luft 4. NARA WW II POW record : “Returned to Military Control 5 June 1945.” | |
|
Other Discharged |
30 October 1945 | ||
|
Died |
5 July 2001 | ||
| Riverdale, Nebraska |
Revisions
WWII Draft card
NARA WW II POW record
Veterans Affairs BIRLS death File
Corrected date of crash from 10/6/44 to 6 October 1944. See:
MACR 9779
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/MACRmonthly/44OctMACR.htm;
http://accident-report.com/Serials/1943h.htm;
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=B17&page=12;
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 9779 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Unit History Roster, Enlisted Men of the 710th Squadron/ MACR 9779