Clatie Ray Cunningham Jr was born in Harriman, Roane Co, TN. He later moved to Chattanooga and graduated from Chattanooga High School as a 2nd Lieutenant in the JROTC. The son of Clatie Ray Cunningham and Laura Belle Hall. Husband of Alice Sylvia Papartis.
Staff Sergeant Clatie R. Cunningham Jr, US Army Air Forces, was assigned to the 868th Bomber Squadron Snoopers. This squadron, specially equipped with low altitude SB-24, and specially modified with radar, was an independent squadron attached to the 13th Air Force, in the Pacific area of operation. It flew missions at night using radar to navigate and locate enemy targets and was one of the most succesful squadrons in the war.
SSgt Cunningham was killed in action on 23 July 1945 when the squadron was flying out of Leyte in the Philippines. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Philippines. He was a crew member of aircraft B-24M1 with serial number 44-41808.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Walter N. Low
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Donald C. McDermott
Navigator, 2nd Lt Stanley L. Reed
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Edward Gingerich
Engineer, S/Sgt Clatie R. Cunningham Jr.
Assistant Engineer, Sgt Charles E. Carroll
Radio Operator, S/Sgt Roy R. Hayes
Radar Operator, S/Sgt John W. Knigga
Gunner, S/Sgt Nicholas Meriage
Gunner, Sgt Clifton E. Leach
He left his wife, Alice S. Cunningham of Belleville, NJ, two children, his mother, Laura Cunningham, and brother Billy Joe of Chattanooga.
For additional information, please consult the following website: https://wjla.com/features/on-the-road/claties-family-legacy-service-sacrifice
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 16 March 1922
- Date of death: 23 July 1945
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 868th Bomber Squadron Heavy
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor C. R. Cunningham Jr.
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
