Homer Jacob Mitts Jr. was born at Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Homer Jacob Mitts Sr. and Katherine P. Gober.
He graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1942 and went to work for Gilman Paint & Varnish Co. He enlisted in the US Army with the intention of becoming an aircraft mechanic.
Aircraft B-17F with serial number 42-5225 was on a bombardment mission to Schweinfurt in Germany. The aircraft was one of the low element. Enemy aircraft must have wiped out the entire element on the first attack. Aircraft 42-5225 crashed near Balen, Belgium. Walter Brown and Edgar Yelle were the only survivors.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Don S. Von Der Heyde
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Donald Primeau
Navigator, 2nd lt Edgar J. Yelle
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Walter S. Brown Jr.
Engineer, T/Sgt Peter Comac
Assistant Engineer, Sgt Homer J. Mitts Jr.
Radio Operator, S/Sgt John R. Klopolsky
Assistant Radio Operator, S/Sgt William F. Wannemacher
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Mack D. Walton
Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Dick L. Sparman
His body was initially interred at the Enemy Cemetery in Antwerpen-Deurne, Belgium and later reburied at Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium, D, 6, 32
“I am Homer’s great niece. My grandfather, Russell, was his little brother.”
–Submitted by Hollie Stockman
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 28 May 1921
- Date of death: 17 August 1943
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 323rd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Middle Panel
- Sponsored by: Hollie Stockman
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