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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by CMSgt Don Skinner - Deceased
Casualty Info
Last Address 353rd Bomb Squadron Oudna, Tunisia
Casualty Date Dec 08, 1943
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Greece
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (VA) - St. Louis, Missouri
According to his NARA enlistment papers, Homer L. Patton was born in Missouri in 1915. No census data on him or his parents has been located.
He enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 13, 1940 as a private in the Army Air Forces. He had completed 4 years of high school and his civilian occupation is unspecified.
His first appearance other than his enlistment is his being part of the Scott combat crew, stationed in North Africa in 1943. He flew at least 40 missions, according to Air Medal awards.
On December 8, 1943, the crew was part of a bomber formation sent to bomb the Athens/Elieus Airdrome in Greece. The target was reached, and the bomb run commenced. Observers within other aircraft of the formation stated that when Scott released his bombs, two fell in train, followed by an internal explosion. The left bomb bay door was blown off, and the right one was shattered.
The aircraft fell into an inverted position, and then exploded. Prior to this explosion, 6 parachutes were observed. Observers later stated they believed a fragmentation bomb had exploded prematurely, bringing down the aircraft.
SSgt Patton's body was evidently recovered at some point, as he and two companions are buried in a common grave in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri, at Section 82, Site 103A.
www.findagrave.com
www.301stbg.com/Missions_Macrs.cfm
www.honorstates.org/index
NARA Enlistment Records
Comments/Citation:
SSgt Homer L. Patton was the assigned ball turret gunner on B-17F # 42-3137, not named, assigned to the 353rd Bomb Squadron.
Missing Air Crew Report 1483 was issued for the loss of this crew. Mission loading lists show the crew consisted of:
1Lt Jack A. Scott p
2Lt Joe R. Rouselle c-p
2 Lt Cyril J. Niemic nav
2 Lt William F. O'Brien bomb
TSgt Leslie D. Morgan eng/tt gun
TSgt Howard C. Ross r/o
SSgt Homer L. Patton btg
SSgt Dennis E. French wg
SSgt William F. Tyson tail gun
Ranks and grades as of mission date.
The three rear gunners were KIA; the remainder of the crew were captured and became POWs.
