The Carpetbagger - 801st/492nd Bomb Gr.
NAVIGATOR D.VANDER SCHAAF

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THE PIPKIN CREW
THE FLIGHT AND THE DROP
BAIL OUT AND THE STORY OF CO-PILOT BARRON
NAVIGATOR D.VANDER SCHAAF
THE LAST OF THE CREW
AFTERMATE
MACKEY BARRON
POSTERS
CERTIFICATE
CONTACT ME
MY RESUME
MY LINKS

The Navigator onboard was Clair D. Vander Schaaf and his age where 34 y.o - after the B-24 bursted into flames his story is a little weak.
We know Holmes talked to him before geting out of the plane. He where working on taking his chute on - but after the crash he was found dead about 1mile from the Crashzone.
A farmer found his body - and he toke his watch because as the Farmer said -" That one the evil Germans will not have" and he was thinking to send it back to Vander Schaaf`s family after the War. The clock was still going.
After the War he sended the wacth back - but the it came back whit the words - " Keep it for your help, friend" from Vander Schaaf`s family.
 

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Clair D. Vander Shaaf`s Watch

The Germans arrived early in the morning and sended him to the Hospital near by.A Doctor declared Vander Schaaf`s dead after a hit by a 20 millimeter gunshell - and it stands in his files.
So after Holmes talked to him onboard the B-24 he must have been hit by the German - who still was firing. Maybe after he has left the plane.
He first was burid in Lemvig ( Denmark) and later in 1947 in Belgium.
 

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Schaaf Clair Vander

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

O-689700

406th Bomber Squadron, 801st Bomber Group, Heavy

Entered the Service from: Michigan
Died: May 7, 1944
Buried at: Plot A Row 41 Grave 1
Ardennes American Cemetery
Neupre, Belgium
Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

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