Stephens Gene Coats

Name:

Gene Coats Stephens

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-740298

Unit:

338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1943-11-13

State:

Missouri

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium

Plot:

B

Row:

8

Grave:

1

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Gene Coats Stephens was born on March 4, 1921, in China, Missouri. He was the son of Otmar Eugene Stephens and Susie Coats Stephens.

Gene enlisted on December 20, 1940, in West Plains, Missouri, as a Private in the Infantry. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard. At the time of his death, he was serving in the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Fighter pilot.

On November 13, 1943, he was Killed in Action aboard his P-38H 42-67078 when he was shot down by German fighters near Holsten-Salzbergen, Germany. It was during a mission to escort bombers attacking at Bremen, Germany.

2Lt Stephens is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.americanairmuseum.com