Kressenberg John K.

Name:

John K. Kressenberg

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-752869

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-08-08

State:

Texas

Cemetery:

Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France

Plot:

F

Row:

8

Grave:

3

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

John K. Kressenberg was born on July 18, 1924, in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. He was the son of Elzie Eugene Kressenberg and Sadie Emma Townsley Kressenberg. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-17 #42-97399 during World War II.

On August 8, 1944, during a bombing mission over France, the aircraft took off from Station 131 in Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire, UK. At 12:53 PM, while flying near La Chapelle-Engerbold in the commune of Condé-sur-Noireau (roughly 6 kilometers to the northwest), it was struck by German anti-aircraft fire. A direct hit between engines #1 and #2 set the wing ablaze, causing the aircraft to lose control and crash. Of the nine crew members on board, seven were killed in action, while the remaining two survived and were captured as prisoners of war.

1Lt Kressenberg was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France. John K. Kressenberg's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 12, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: //francecrashes39-45.net, www.398th.org