Name:
Dragie F. Yareff
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
35397379
Unit:
511th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1943-06-28
State:
Cemetery:
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Comments:
SSgt Dragie F. Yareff, belly gunner of the B-17 42-29847 “High Ball”, took off from station 110 In Polebrook, UK at 1430 on a bombing mission over Saint Nazaire’s “Flak Alley” to target the submarine pens there. They were part of the High Squadron. The plane was shot down before it reached the target by German Fw-190s and was partially evacuated. Yareff did not survive. His body was reclaimed by his family after the war and brought back to the US. Many thanks to Andre Franc and the High Ball Souvenir Association for permission to use the photo.