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| Sgt. Byron Hassett was the engineer on the B-24 "El Lobo" on its final mission to bomb Berlin. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26439593/byron-e.-hassett http://sundrycollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/09/el-lobo.html |
Byron E. Hassett never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 1, 1918 in Michigan. His parents Levilla and Caroline were also both born in Michigan. His father died in 1925 and his mother died in 1940. Byron had an older brother and sister.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in April 1941. He became a tech sergeant in the 579th Bombardment Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. It began flying missions in September 1943.
The 392nd BG's mission on April 29, 1944 was to bomb targets in Berlin, always a tough assignment. On that day the Americans were attacked persistently by 50 or more German fighter planes. Six bombers were lost, the second worst day for the 392nd BG during the war. Sgt. Hassett was the engineer on El Lobo, flying its 38th mission of the war. He was not the normal engineer with this crew, but had the ill luck to be assigned for this mission. Both right engines were knocked out and the bomber crashed into a forest on the outskirts of Dinklage, Germany.
His grave is at Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Aloysius Noud, 76th Infantry Division. You can read about Aloysius here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
My grandfather was the pilot on that ship. By all accounts, it was struck mid fuselage by AA fire and split in half. The front of the plane caught fire and no crewmen were seen exiting. The tail gunner survived the crash and was captured by German soldiers, spending the rest of the war in a POW camp. The plane crashed in Belgium. I only know these things because I was able to contact the tail gunner and corresponded with him for several years regarding his time spent with my grandfather and the events that occurred that day in April. Thanks so much for what you do. It is appreciated greatly. -Taylor
ReplyDeleteTaylor, would you happen to have a photo of the crew? You can email me at don@storiesbehindthestars.org
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