Born 19 February 1916
Died 2 March 1945
Buried at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN
Corporal
828th Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group
Aircraft B-24H with serial number 42-52644 departed from Venosa Army Air Field in Italy on a combat bombing mission to Linz, Austria.
Statement by S/Sgt George R. Dickinson:
On 2 March 1945 I was flying as Tail Gunner of Airplane number 42-52059, flying number 4 position of Baker Box on a bombing mission to Linz, Austria. Approximately one half hour before reaching the IP, while over the foothills of the Alps, I saw airplane number 42-52644, piloted by Second Lieutenant Cal W. Langley, who was flying number 7 position of Baker Box, drop behind for a short while, then move back up into position. Shortly after moving back into position the airplane appeared to get caught in the prop wash of either, airplane number 44-49930, flying number 5 position of Able Box or the pathfinder flying as Deputy Leader of Able Box, and as a result went out of control. One of its wing tips rammed the wing tip of aircraft number 42-52064, flying number 2 position of Charlie Box, and immediately after the wing tips touched the noses came together, and the two aircraft disintegrated as they fell to earth. I saw two parachutes open, and it is my opinion that these two chutes were from airplane number 42-52064.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Carl W. Langley
Co-Piot, 2nd Lt Richard v. Miller
Navigator, F/O William J. Hafemeister
Right Waist Gunner, Cpl Paul E. Shultz
Left Waist Gunner, Cp.l Henry Koprowaki
Nose Gunner, Cpl William S. Kaukas
Ball Gunner, Cpl Doyle G. Sumner
Tail Gunner, Sgt Leegrand H. Koller
Upper Gunner, Cpl George L. Taylor
- Rank: Corporal
- Date of birth: 19 February 1916
- Date of death: 2 March 1945
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 828th Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Paul E. Shultz
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