Sousa Gilbert

Name:

Gilbert Sousa

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

31207901

Unit:

862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1944-12-31

State:

Massachusetts

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium

Plot:

B

Row:

19

Grave:

15

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Comments:

Gilbert Sousa entered military service in Massachusetts. He served in the 862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-17 #44-8352 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on December 31, 1944, when his airplane was hit by flak, exploded, and crashed near Hameln, Germany. Seven members of his crew were Killed in Action, while 5 were taken as prisoners.

SSgt Sousa is now buried in the -Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.

The crew that day was Dick Malone, Stan McKay, John Volpe, Gilbert Sousa, Tom Heilman, Bill Lawrence, Capt Dave Whitlock {mission pilot} (7 Killed in Action); Frank Druehl, George Zackert {ex nav}, Art Donovan, Edgar Stoelting, Bill Gleason {ex nav} (5 Prisoner of War).

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.abmc.gov