Ernest Ambrose Pennell Jr. was born on January 26, 1915, in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. He was the son of Ernest A. Pennell and Ellen Halton Pennell. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 #42-102498 nicknamed ''Tailend Charlie'' during World War II.

On May 30, 1944, the 'Tailend Charlie' was lost during a bombing mission over Dessau, Germany. The aircraft was on its seventh mission when it encountered enemy fighters. The aircraft was hit by flak, exploded, and crashed near Aken, approximately nine miles west of Dessau. Three crew members were killed in action, while the remaining six crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war. The Flight Engineer sustained injuries during the incident.

Sgt Pennell was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA. Ernest A. Pennell's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 13, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org