Phelps Bruce Elbert

Name:

Bruce Elbert Phelps

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-722753

Unit:

603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-02-03

State:

Kansas

Cemetery:

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

Plot:

D

Row:

23

Grave:

16

Decoration:

Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Bruce Elbert Phelps was born on April 2, 1920, in Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas. He was the son of Elmer R. Phelps and Trella Maude Smith Phelps. He was married to Wanda F. Norton Brown. He enlisted in the service on December 14, 1942. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17 #43-38697 during World War II.

On February 3, 1945, during a bombing mission over Berlin, the B-17G 43-38697 was involved in a mid-air collision with another B-17 42-97387, nicknamed "Maude An' Maria," from the 602nd Bomb Squadron of the same group. The collision occurred near Lehmke, Germany, resulting in the crash of both aircraft. Tragically, eight of the nine crew members aboard 43-38697 were killed in the collision, and only one survived and was taken as a prisoner of war.

2Lt Phelps was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium. Bruce E. Phelps' name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 22, in the top right wing (section B).

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