David Otis Schoocraft was the son of Charles and Birdie Schoocraft. He was a former student at the University of Chattanooga, where he was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity.
MIA WWII, Italy. Was a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. 376th Bomber Group Army Air Force AAF. He was killed while on a bombing mission over Italy. His body was never recovered, but a memorial marker was placed in his honor at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. He is also memorialized at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.
Awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Aircraft B-24D with serial number 42-40660 was on a bombing mission to R.R. Yards at Foggia, Italy.
Statement from T/Sgt Edward A. Lis, 513th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group:
About five minutes after we left the coast of Italy I noticed seven enemy pursuit planes above us and to our right. Five of these fighters peeled off and each one attacked ship number 56 which was flying on our right wing. After the first attack, plane 56 glided to our left and then back to our right and it was evident that it was in trouble. When it glided back to our right I noticed four men to bail out and their parachutes open. The plane continued in the glide until it struck the water.
The plane crashed into water about 100 miles off the coast of Naples. 2nd Lt Schoocraft died in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Italy.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Wayne V. Friberg
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt David C. Schoocraft
Navigator, 2n Lt Kenneth D. Hamilton
Bombardier, 2nd Lt George A. Lascurettes
Engineer, T/Sgt Woodrow W. Johnston
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Jewett A. Bale
Assistant Engineer, S/Sgt Anthony J. Peidl
Assistant Radio Operator, S/Sgt Parks L. Roover
Armorer Gunner, S/Sgt John J. Masterson
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Albert F. Grosse
Photographer/Gunner, S/Sgt Jack Brown
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 29 May 1921
- Date of death: 20 August 1943
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 376th Bomber Group, 513th Bomber Squadron, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor David O. Schoocraft
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