Teofilo Crixell III was born on January 30, 1925, in Texas. He was the son of Teofilo Crixell and Tommie Stillwell Crixell.
Teofilo, III served in the 850th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-17G #43-38009 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 13, 1944, in the crash of his plane in Germany.
B-17G #43-38009 took off, with a crew of 9, from Eye, England, on a bombing mission over Ludwigshafen, Germany. Near the target, they were hit by anti-aircraft fire, which blew their left-wing off and crashed near the target.
Sgt Crixell is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France.
Airmen who perished on B-17G #43-38009:
Crixell, Teofilo, III ~ Sgt, Radio Operator, TX
De Santis, Jenner J. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, NJ
Garry, Donald R. ~ Sgt, Waist Gunner, MI
Godfrey, John E. ~ Sgt, Engineer, WA
Jensen, Oscar ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, MN
Ostler, Frederick B. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, ID
Rooney, Lawrence J. ~ Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, ME
Airmen who survived the crash:
Davis, Albert ~ 1st Lt, Pilot
Wessel, Richard F. H. ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, POW
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov