Aaron Floyd Ray

Name:

Floyd Ray Aaron

Rank:

Technical Sergeant

Serial Number:

38507332

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1945-04-13

State:

Arkansas

Cemetery:

Leachville Cemetery, Leachville, Mississippi County, Arkansas, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Comments:

Floyd Ray Aaron was born on April 21, 1924, in Arkansas. He was the son of William Robert Aaron and Ruth Melvina Allison Aaron. He enlisted in the service on May 18, 1943. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #43-39184 during World War II.

On April 13, 1945, during a bombing mission targeting Neumünster, Germany, the aircraft was severely damaged by enemy flak. As the crew attempted to return to base, the damage proved too great, forcing them to bail out over Bad Oldesloe, near Garbek, Germany. Six crew members were captured and became prisoners of war, while two lost their lives when the plane exploded and crashed.

TSgt Aaron was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Leachville Cemetery, Leachville, Mississippi County, Arkansas, USA. Floyd R. Aaron's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org