RICHARD LOUIS ENGEL

The Citadel Class of:	1944
Cadet Company:	D – Cpl (3), 3rd Battalion – Intelligence Sergeant (2)
Age:	22
Born:	circa 1922 in New Jersey
Hometown:	Roebling, New Jersey
Family:	Louis Richard Engel (father), Anna M. Engel (mother), Louise A. Engel (sister)
Rank:	Second Lieutenant
Branch of Service:	U.S. Army Air Forces
Servicenumber:	O-512407
Entered the Service from:	New Jersey
Function:	Pilot
Company – Squadron:	Headquarters, 55th RTU
Unit – Group:	55th Fighter Group
Plane data: (Serialnumber, MACR, etc.)	P-51-D-10NA 44-14171; “Daisy, Jr.”; MACR 11452
Date of   death:	31-Dec-44
Status:	DNB
Place of death:	England
Spot:	Bradwell Bay – North of Colne River
Awards:	Not Available
Gravenumber:	Plot F Row 2 Grave 109
Cemetery:	Cambridge American Cemetery
Biography:	Not Available
Other information:	Civil Engineering major. 2LT Engel was killed when his Mustang crashed during a training mission. According to an eye witness the plane caught on fire, pilot bailed out, and the plane and the pilot landed in the water. Capt. Thompson and 1LT Kennedy went to the vicinity of the crash and were told by members of the Royal Observer Corps that they had tried to locate the Pilot but he was not found. Air-Sea Rescue were also in the vicinity. “Whilst on duty as air sentry on December 31st 1944, I witnessed a fighter plane in difficulty north of my post. The plane developed a spinning dive and went below the tree tops at an angle of about 75degrees. The pilot bailed out successfully at about 500 feet, and came down almost vertically. In my estimation both man and plane, which looked like a Thunderbolt, and was afire, came down into the water. The time was 1510 P.M.” Eyewitness Statement – V. Hare, Cpl, R.A. – Source: MACR 11452

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission, The Citadel Archive & Museum, Mike Stannard ’65, Sphinx 1942 & 1943, 1920/30/40 US Census (NARA), Find A Grave.com

We ask for your help. It is our objective to have complete and accurate records for each of our Citadel Men. If you have information to contribute or correct this or any other record, please contact us or see support.

* Previous *                                                                                                 * Back to List *                                                                                                  * Next *