Thomas Calvin Bingman was born on August 21, 1925, in Patrick County, Virginia. He was the son of Sandy Reed Bingman and Sallie Louise Cummings Bingman.

Thomas served in the 860th Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner on the B-17G #43-38480 during World War II. He was Killed in Action in the crash of his plane on September 30, 1944.

B-17G #43-38480 took off, with a crew of 9, from Station 152, England, on a bombing mission over Bielefeld, Germany. Near the target, they were hit by the debris from B-17G #43-38115 which had accidentally been hit by bombs from a B-17 above them and exploded. B-17G #43-38480 then crashed near Wahnbeckerheide, southeast of Bielefeld, Germany. Two crew members survived the crash.

Sgt Bingman is now buried in the Critz Baptist Church Cemetery, Critz, Patrick County, Virginia, USA.

B-17G #43-38480 crew members who perished were:
Austin, Allen L. ~ FO, Navigator, IL
Bingman, Thomas C. ~ Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, VA
Jupinko, John ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, MD
LaFlame, Edison W. ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, PA
Levine, Morris J. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA
Malloy, Joseph P. ~ Sgt, Waist Gunner, DC
O'Neill, Vincent M. ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, IL

The survivors were:
Howard Otip ~ Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Jack Glide ~ Radio Operator

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