Born May 28, 1923 in Roanoke, Virginia. He was from Missouri. . SSG Penfiled served as a Waist Gunner Gunner on B-24 (42-95144) ' European Clipper' of the 565th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group; Pilot 1st Lt Herschell R. Chappell. On its way to the target 42-95144 collided with B 24J 42-100351 that was flying above it. 42-100351 lost a propeller and crashed shortly after. 42-95144 lost its tail section and went into a spinning dive which ended with the aircraft crashing in the sea approximately 2 kilometres southeast of Kelsnor lighthouse on the island of Langeland.. Sergent Penfield was killed in the crash. The body of S/Sgt Howard R. Penfield was found washed ashore on the beach near Nordenbrogaard, Magleby Parish on 2/9-1944. He was laid to rest in Magleby Churchyard on 4/9-1944. On 30/4-1948 his coffin was transferred to the American Military Cemetery Neuville-en Condron in Belgium. Today he rest in St. Louis, Missouri USA.
Source: Airway Over Denmark.