Moffitt Ernest Lawton, Jr.

Name:

Ernest Lawton, Jr. Moffitt

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-1996071

Unit:

451st Bomber Squadron, 322nd Bomber Group, Medium

Date of Death:

1945-03-18

State:

Rhode Island

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Plot:

Section 12

Row:

Grave:

Site 718

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Ernest Lawton Moffitt Jr. was born on February 12, 1921, in Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island. He served in the 451st Bomber Squadron, 322nd Bomber Group, Medium, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-26 Marauder #43-34155 during World War II.

On March 18, 1945, during a mission to bomb the marshaling yards in Wetzlar, Germany, a tragic accident occurred over France. Three B-26 Marauder bombers were involved in a chain-reaction collision, resulting in severe damage and crashes. The aircraft involved included tail numbers 43-34422 and 43-34409. Most of the crew members from all three bombers were killed in the incident.

2Lt Moffitt was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: http://francecrashes39-45.net/