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Colburn, Cecil Robert

Individual Personnel Data
Name Colburn, Cecil Robert   
Rank Sergeant / Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 12004484   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #43 dated 22 February 1945, effective 22 February 1945.
Duty Ball Turret Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 26 March 1945
Results Wounded In Action
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 22 September 1922
  • Promoted to Sergeant effective 26 February 1945 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #46 dated 26 February 1945.
  • Seriously injured in crash landing returning from 26 March 1945 mission: did not return to combat duty.
  • Ordered to Palace Hotel, Southport, AAF Station 524 (a Flak house) on 2 April 1945 for seven days temporary duty per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #70 dated 1 April 1945.
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant effective 17 April 1945 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #83 dated 17 April 1945.
Related Documents Accident Report # 45-03-26-525 (6.320 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Jordan, Theodore GustavPilotKIA
Flt. Ofcr. Schumacher, Elmer RayCo-pilotTR
2nd Lt. Kyllo, Orville EldonNavigatorTR
Flt. Ofcr. Twiford, Ralph, JrBombardierFCMEW
CPL. Thompson, James RRadio Operator / GunnerFCMEW
CPL. Rieder, John CharlesEngineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Colburn, Cecil RobertBall Turret GunnerWIA
SGT. Schwertfeger, Norman HenryTail GunnerTR
CPL. Bianconi, Natale PasqualeFlexible GunnerTR

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 10 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
286 11 March 1945 Target: Vacuum Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bremen, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑8679 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
287 12 March 1945 Target: Railway Center
Type: Transportation
Location: Betzdorf, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
288 14 March 1945 Target: Railroad Bridge, Weser River
Type: Transportation
Location: Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
289 15 March 1945 Target: Army HQ
Type: Military
Location: Zossen, Germany
Ball Turret 43‑39019 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report
290 17 March 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bohlen (Leipzig), Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
291 18 March 1945 Target: Schlesischer Railway Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
294 22 March 1945 Target: German Hutted Camps (Barracks) at 51°36'N,7°06'E
Type: Military
Location: Westerholt, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6923 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
295 23 March 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Gladbeck, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
296 24 March 1945 Target: Vechta Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Vechta, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
298 26 March 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Zeitz, Germany
Ball Turret 44‑6109 Combat Mission Credit
Running short of fuel, attempted to land at an emergency airfield near Cranbrook, Kent, but crashed in Brewers Wood, on Hawkridge Farm near Cranbrook, Kent ('500 yards North of Hargridge House'). The pilot was killed and two crewman were injured seriously.
Sortie Report

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