Paul Marr Bunnell was born on January 24, 1917, in Jasper, Jasper County, Missouri. He was the son of Harry Melvin Bunnell and Vera Marr Bunnell Pence Mentzer Farrell. He was married to Cecile Mae Painter Goings. He served in the 777th Bomb Squadron, 464th Bomb Group, as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of B-24G #42-78092, nicknamed "Old Gran-Dad's Dream," during World War II.

On the morning of May 27, 1944, the "Old Gran-Dad's Dream" took off from Gioia del Colle Airfield, Italy. Piloted by 2Lt Parrish, the bomber joined a large formation assigned to attack the German-controlled railway yards at Nîmes, France, a key transportation target in the Allied campaign to disrupt Axis logistics before the invasion of southern Europe. As the formation crossed southern France, the aircraft approached the area around Courthézon, just north of Avignon. At approximately 10:15 a.m., German heavy anti-aircraft batteries (Flak) scored a direct hit between the No. 3 engine and the fuselage. The explosion was catastrophic. Witnesses reported that the bomber broke apart in mid-air as the right wing folded, causing the aircraft to roll over before exploding. Burning wreckage fell across the Saint-Laurent district of Courthézon, leaving no opportunity for any of the crew to escape. All ten airmen aboard were killed instantly.

TSgt Bunnell is now buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Augusta, Hancock County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net