Cline Glen H.

Name:

Glen H. Cline

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

20269535

Unit:

603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-01-01

State:

New York

Cemetery:

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England

Plot:

Tablets of the Missing

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Glen H. Cline was born on December 26, 1919, in Port Dickinson, Broome County, New York. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #43-38895 during World War II.

On January 1, 1945, B-17 #43-38895 was lost over the North Sea due to engine failure. Around 10:10 AM, one engine exploded, causing a fire and forcing the pilot to ditch the aircraft approximately 112 miles from the English coast. The tail broke off during the water landing, and the aircraft quickly sank. Six crew members reached a life raft, but were unable to reach the tail gunner, who was separated by wind and waves. Air Sea Rescue units recovered six survivors. Three crew members were killed in action.

SSgt Cline was reported Missing in Action and officially declared dead on January 1, 1945. His name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England. Glen H. Cline's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 24.

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