Name:
Malcolm S. Culpepper
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
34241096
Unit:
327th Bomber Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group
Date of Death:
1942-10-09
State:
Florida
Cemetery:
Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France
Plot:
B
Row:
11
Grave:
13
Decoration:
Purple Heart
Comments:
SSgt Malcolm Culpepper, radio operator of the B-17 41-9018, took off from Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, UK at 0900 on a bombing mission over Hellemmes’ railroad installations. They were hit by German AA fire, causing them to drop out of formation and be hounded by nine German Fw-190s. The latter shot off the tail section, sending the plane down. The pilot held on as long as he could to avoid hitting the residential areas, but finally had to bail out. His parachute malfunctioned and he plummeted to his death. Several other airmen, including SSgt Culpepper, died with the plane.