Charles J McClain
Military
Object Number - UPL 40292 - 2nd Lt Charles J McClain Bombardier 303BG.
Assigned to 359BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. 30+missions. On 26-Nov-43 mission to Bremen, B-17 42-5177 'Fast Worker Mk II' was attacked by ME109 and made emergency landing at Attlebridge, Norfolk. RTD
Shot down by flak and crashed SW of Abbeville, FR on a mission to Bois-Coquered, FR on 28-Feb-44 in B-17 42-5306. Prisoner of War (POW). Was captured by a German squad and three days later escaped. Evaded through France, climbed the Pyrenees Mts. and returned to Allied control on 6 June 1944. EVD
Awards: DFC, SS, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.
Post War: Remained in the USAF serving in Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18075216 / O-672887
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Corona, California | 12 September 1919 | Son of Mary McClain. |
|
Enlisted |
13 October 1941 | ||
|
Other Medal award |
26 November 1943 | Gallantry in action on Bremen mission, awarded Silver Star. | |
|
Other Medal award |
20 February 1944 | Awarded DFC. | |
|
Other Medal award |
28 February 1944 | Awarded Purple Heart for wounds received. | |
|
Other Blown out of A/C POW |
SW of Abbeville, France | 28 February 1944 | Bois-Coquered in B-17F 42-5306; Shot down by flak and crashed SW of Abbeville 28-Feb-44. POW. MACR 2863 |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Abbeville, France | 28 February 1944 - 3 March 1944 | Prisoner of War (POW). Escaped captivity. |
|
Other Evaded capture |
Pyrenees | 3 March 1944 - 6 June 1944 | Evaded through France, climbed the Pyrenees Mountains and returned to Allied control on 6-Jun-44. |
|
Other Discharged USAAF |
31 August 1968 | Honourable discharge. | |
|
Died |
Rockledge, FL | 22 May 2003 | |
|
Buried |
Florida Memorial Gardens Rockledge, Brevard County, FL | 26 May 2003 | Florida Memorial Gardens Rockledge, Brevard County, FL McClain Family Estate lot 7 space 1 |
|
Other Speciality training |
San Angelo, TX | Completed bombardier training San Angelo, TX. | |
|
Based |
Molesworth | Assigned to 359BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/28743291?terms=42-5306
https://www.fold3.com/record/12345983-charles-j-mcclain
https://www.fold3.com/record/619569541-charles-mcclain-1919
Air Forces Escape & Evasion Society By Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41305506/charles-j-mcclain
Removed # in A/C serial to aid clarity and maintain consistency
Added a "-" to the A/C type in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
https://www.fold3.com/image/28743291?terms=42-5306
https://www.fold3.com/record/12345983-charles-j-mcclain
https://www.fold3.com/record/619569541-charles-mcclain-1919
Air Forces Escape & Evasion Society By Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41305506/charles-j-mcclain
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://303rdbg.com/rost-m.html#M, Losses of Eighth and Ninth Air Forces Vol I by Bishop & Hey pp. 387
Corrected date of death. See: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=41305506
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2863, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, AFEES
