Kelley Thomas Daniel

Name:

Thomas Daniel Kelley

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

16122125

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-05-24

State:

Illinois

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium

Plot:

D

Row:

3

Grave:

54

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Thomas Daniel Kelley was born on December 9, 1915, in Metcalf, Edgar County, Illinois. He was the son of William T. Kelley and Sarah F. Kelley. He was employed as a telephone operator before enlisting in the service on March 4, 1943. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-107132 during World War II.

On May 24, 1944, during a bombing mission targeting Berlin, Germany, the aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft. The aircraft crashed near Biesenthal, approximately nine miles southwest of Eberswalde, Germany. Seven crew members were killed in action, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

SSgt Kelley was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium. Thomas D. Kelley's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 20, in the top right wing (section B).

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