White Rufus Cecil

Name:

Rufus Cecil White

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

34637631

Unit:

603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-03-14

State:

Mississippi

Cemetery:

Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Rufus Cecil White was born on November 22, 1924, in Hinds County, Mississippi. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #43-37825 during World War II.

On March 14, 1945, the aircraft was part of a bombing mission targeting Osnabrück, Germany. During the mission, it was struck by anti-aircraft flak in the number three engine. The damage caused the aircraft to descend and eventually explode mid-air, crashing near Icker, north of Osnabrück. Five crew members were Killed in Action, while the remaining four survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

SSgt White was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, USA. Rufus C. White’s name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 1 (left), on Butterfly 4, in the top right wing (section B).

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