Photo of Dale Huffer taken from a Warsaw, Indiana newspaper.

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

Dale P. Huffer

Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service / ASN #: 15374675
Entered the Service From: Indiana
Enlisted November 10, 1942, Camp Perry Lacarne, Ohio, USA
Rank @ ToE: Private
Branch: Air Corps
Component: National Guardsmen
Nativity: Indiana
Education: 4 years of high school
Occupation: General Farmers
Marital Status: Single w/o dependents
Born: 1923, Indiana
Date of Death: September 03, 1943

Killed over the area of Paris when a salvoed bomb from a higher flying group hit the No# 3 engine of aircraft 42-30059 (Barkers Burdens), which Sgt Dale Huffer was in, piloted by 1Lt Charles Floyd. Sgt Dale Huffer was flying as a replacement this mission for regular crew member Willis Stroud or Robyn Fulton.

The hit on engine # 3 started a chain of events, a mid air collision with aircraft 42-5865 piloted by Lt Victor Fienup, resulting in loss of control. The aircraft piloted by Lt. Richard King received a direct falk burst amidships and sudden moved upward striking aircraft piloted by Lt Charles Floyd, resulting in this aircraft exploding.

MIA
Wall of the Missing ~ Army-Army Air Forces ~ Tablet 15, Veteran 07
Site GPS: 49.121544,6.715887
Lorraine American Cemetery & Memorial
Department de la Moselle
Saint Avold, Lorraine, France

Citations and Awards:

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 5 April 1917 have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or an opposing armed force, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict, as the result of acts of enemy or hostile opposing forces, as a result of terrorist attacks or attacks on peacekeeping forces since 28 March 1973, or by friendly fire in circumstance as described above.

Air Medal

The Air Medal, established by Executive Order on 11 May 1942 and amended by Executive Order on 11 September 1942, is awarded to a person who, while serving with the United States Armed Forces, has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may recognize single acts of heroism or merit, or may recognize sustained meritorious service over a period of six months or more. The Air Medal primarily recognizes personnel on flight status requiring frequent participation in aerial flight. It may be awarded to personnel not on flight status whose duties require frequent flight other than in a passenger status. The Air Medal ranks behind the Distinguished Flying Cross in order of precedence.

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

MIA
Wall of the Missing ~ Army-Army Air Forces Tablets
Lorraine American Cemetery & Memorial
Department de la Moselle
Saint Avold, Lorraine, France