Eugene Cantrall was the son of James Walter Cantrell and Frances Bell Slack. Husband of Delcie Hicks.
On 16 August 1944, aircraft B-17G, serial number 42-97797 was on a bombing mission to Zeitz, Germany. It received a direct hit by flak in the right wing, over the target of Zeitz, Germany at 1133 hours. There was an explosion near #3 engine which knocked most of the right wing off. The aircraft slipped out of formation and about a minute later the aircraft was seen to disintegrate in the air. Four chutes were reported as having left the aircraft. Aircraft 42-97797 crashed at Field section of Rehmsdorf. Eugene Cantrell didn´t bail out and was initially buried on the Community Cemetery at Rehmsdorf, Grave No. 1, last row, Southern side on 17 August 1944 at 0800 hours.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Allan E. Hannum, Jr.
Co-Pilot, F/O Kenneth H. Loehwing
Navigator, 2nd Lt Eugene Cantrell
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Angelo Genova
Tail Turret Gunner, T/Sgt Richard F. Kuna
Radio Operator/Gunner, T/Sgt William E. Purdy Jr.
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Fred C. Mathews
Right Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Ned W. Tillson
Left Waist Gunner, T/Sgt John W. Sharon
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Leroy H. Presley
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 15 December 1944
Lt. Eugene Cantrell, navigator on a Flying Fortress, has been reported killed in action over Zeitz, Germany. His wife, the former Miss Delcie Hicks, resides with her parents at Etowah, Tenn. His mother, Mrs. Fannie Cantrell, lives on Route 2, Englewood. Previously reported missing on Aug. 16, he had been in service two years and wore the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a former employe of the Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa, Tenn.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 3 June 1920
- Date of death: 16 August 1944
- County: McMinn
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 412th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XV, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Eugene Cantrell
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