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Kortebein Henry F.

Name:
Henry F. Kortebein
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Serial Number:
12127310
Unit:
322nd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1944-08-08
State:
New York
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia
Plot:
Section 60
Row:
Grave:
Site 8461
Decoration:
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Comments:

TSgt Henry F. Kortebein, mechanic of the B-17 42-31367 “Chow Hound”, took off from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, UK on a bombing mission over Bretteville-sur-Laize. An enemy “88” anti-aircraft burst of flak hit the aircraft, causing the tail section to separate from the fuselage. The main section was then seen to nose over and dove straight down in a spiral. The spin also caused a wing to separate and on striking the ground the aircraft burst into flames. Kortebein was listed as MIA for over 50 years before his remains were recovered by the French ANSA organization and identified. He was buried in Arlington on August 24th 2006. He was previously declared Missing in Action but his remains were recovered and identified. His name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial.