Name:
Harold A. Capelluto
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-530935
Unit:
91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group
Date of Death:
1944-06-06
State:
New York
Cemetery:
Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Me
Plot:
A
Row:
9
Grave:
19
Decoration:
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Comments:
1st Lt Harold A. Capelluto, pilot of the Douglas C-47 42-93095, took off from Uppottery, UK on a personnel drop as part of Operation Albany. While over Sainte-Mere-Eglise the plane was hit by AA fire, causing one of the engines to burst into flames. Capelluto tried to land the plane in a field by the RN13 but it clipped a hedgerow and exploded, killing everyone aboard. The wreck burned for three days. No bodies were ever found and vegetation hasn’t grown on the crash site to this day.