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Fleming Samuel

Name:
Samuel Fleming
Rank:
Captain
Serial Number:
O-681638
Unit:
86th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group
Date of Death:
1945-03-24
State:
Pennsylvania
Cemetery:
Netherlands American Cemetery, Netherlands
Plot:
Tablets of the Missing
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Comments:

Samuel Fleming was born on January 20, 1919 in Glasgow City, Scotland. He served in the 86th Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Captain and Pilot of the C-47 #42-92881 "Scotty" during World War II.

On March 24, 1945, the C-47 transport plane was hit by flak and small arms fire during the Rhein crossing (Operation Varsity). It operated on a glider tow mission. Both gliders detached and the airplane descended in flames and crashed. Two occupants bailed out and were taken prisoners by the Germans and were held until the paratroopers arrived. CPT Fleming's remains were nerver found and he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

Crew of C47 #42-92881:
CPT Samuel Fleming - Pilot
2LT Robert C. Regan - Co-Pilot
TSGT Ferdinand W. Luick - Crew Chief
SSGT Railly - Radio Operator (survived)
1LT Sterba - Navigator (survived)

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, aviation-safety.net