Charles G. Pakestein was born on October 16, 1915, in New Jersey. He served in the 702nd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-24 #42-100308 nicknamed 'Our Gal' during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, “Our Gal” was lost during the catastrophic Kassel mission over Germany. The aircraft departed RAF Tibenham, England, as part of a formation assigned to bomb the Henschel armored vehicle and industrial works at Kassel. During the approach to the target, navigational errors caused the 445th Bomb Group to drift away from the main bomber stream and lose the protection of its long-range fighter escort. After the bombing run, as the group turned for home, the isolated formation was intercepted by large numbers of German fighters, primarily Fw 190s and Bf 109s, over central Germany, especially around the Werra Valley. The fighters launched repeated close-range attacks that devastated the unescorted bombers. Our Gal was among the Liberators shot down during this intense aerial battle and crashed in Germany.

SSgt Pakestein was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Hardyston Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.rafb24.com