Calvin Thomas Bladen was born on December 28, 1916, in Capitol Heights, Maryland. He was the son of Calvin M. Bladen and Violet Virginia Huntt Bladen.

Prior to entering the service, he was an auditor with the Social Security Board. A graduate of Maryland Park High School and the Strayer Business College as it was known then but today is now called Strayer University.

Calvin served in the 863rd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-17G #43-38098 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 12, 1944, when his airplane crashed at Hadmersleben, 4km southeast of Oschersleben, Germany.

On that day, B-17G #43-38098 was hit by a flak in the no. 3 engine and on fire; it kept formation for two minutes. The flames increased and spread until the whole wing was a mass of flames. Very shortly after this, the aircraft banked sharply and fell into a spin crashing into Hadmersleben. The crash resulted in the deaths of 5 crew members and 4 were taken as prisoners.

Sgt Bladen is now buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Prince George's County, Maryland, USA.

The crew members of the airplane were Pilot James P. Kittleson, Co-pilot: Homer P. Duncan, Navigator: Maxwell S. Kettef, Ball turret gunner: William M. Lamkin (4 Prisoners of War). Bombardier: Albert A. Christensen, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Alex E. Alford, Radio Operator: Calvin T. Bladen, Waist gunner: Joseph G. Eifried, Tail gunner: Eugene Bosnavits Jr (5 Killed in Action).

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