Service Number 20613880

 

United States Army Air Force (USAAF), 8th Air Force, 1st Air Division

384th Bomb Group, 544th Bomb Squadron

 

Based at RAF Grafton Underwood (Station 106), Northamptonshire, England

 

Killed in action – 16th August, 1943 T/Sgt. Melvin A. Feigenbaum was killed after being hit by gun fire on the mission to Le Bourget Airport, France. It was unclear at what point in the mission he was killed, but it seems likely after ‘bombs away’. This was only his 2nd combat mission. There were no other losses in the crew of ten, with the aircraft “The Dallas Rebel” safely returning to RAF Grafton Underwood.

 

Burial Information –        Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot B, Row 7, Grave 48   

 

Melvin Allen Feigenbaum was born in 1917. His mother was Amelia Halm (also documented as Hahm) (1884 – 1952), records show that she was born in New York and had German ancestry through her parents. Melvin's father was Albert Carl Feigenbaum (1877 – 7th June 1924). Albert’s father was Austrian, and his mother German, records show his family arriving into the port of New York during 1878 from Europe.

 

The family resided in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois throughout Melvin’s childhood. Melvin was the youngest of six children to Albert & Amelia Feigenbaum – Clarence (born 1904), Mabel (born 1906), Ethel (1910-1971), Albert (1911-1994), and Le Roy (1914-2003).

 

Records show that in 1937 Melvin was attending Harrison Technical High School, Chicago, Illinois. By 1940 he was in employment as a ‘tester’ whilst living at home.

 

Melvin enlisted with the armed forces on 5th March 1941, initially with the Field Artillery, National Guard.

 

On 5th September 1942, Melvin married Claire Rita Brennan (2nd Sept 1918 - 8th May 2001) of Branchdale, Pennsylvania. Claire had served for 17 months as an Army Nurse at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. They were married in Cook County, Illinois and set up their marital home in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

 

Details of Melvin’s transferal to the United States Army Air Force aren’t available, however it is documented that Melvin was eventually assigned to the 544th Bomb Squadron, of the 384th Bomb Group, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force on 20th July, 1943. The first aircraft of this squadron had arrived at their home base of RAF Grafton Underwood (Station 106), Northamptonshire, England in May 1943. Melvin had trained as a Radio Operator/Gunner on Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, which the group operated in the European theatre of operations.

 

On the 14th August 1943, Melvin became a father to his first child – his wife Claire giving birth to a son, James Melvin Feigenbaum. Claire at this point had returned to her child home to be with her parents ahead of the birth.

 

The day after, 15th August 1943, was Melvin’s first combat mission – the mission was to two airfields in France, Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy. The mission passed without mishap.

 

His second mission followed immediately after, on 16th August 1943. Their aircraft was Boeing B-17F “The Dallas Rebel” #42-29814 (SU*D). Target for the day was Le Bourget Airport and air depot in Paris, France. The 384th BG contributed 20 aircraft to the days mission, with 1 aircraft aborting, 1 aircraft lost and 18 aircraft attacking the target. Bomb load for the group was a total of 45.5 tons, comprising 300lb General Purpose bombs. The aircraft started to depart the airbase from 07.10am. This was to be the 384th BG’s 16th mission, and was the 83rd mission by the USAAF.

 

The weather over the target area was clear, and the aircraft encountered very determined opposition from enemy fighter aircraft prior to reaching the target, with a running battle ensuing for around 30 minutes afterwards. The target was struck successfully with good results.

 

At around 10.15am, on the return leg of the mission, T/Sgt Melvin A. Feigenbaum was found dead in his compartment of the aircraft, from gunfire wounds. It is unclear when this actually happened as it wasn’t discovered by the crew until then, presumably due to them being occupied by enemy activity. There were no other casualties within the aircraft, and it returned to RAF Grafton Underwood safely.

 

The news of Melvin’s death was not released to Claire for several days, her health had suffered during childbirth, and it was feared the news may cause a relapse in her condition.

 

Melvin’s body was eventually laid to rest at the Cambridge American Cemetery which was built post-war at Madingley, on the outskirts of Cambridge, England. His grave is located at Plot B, Row 7, Grave 48.

 

In the course of his duties, Melvin was awarded the Purple Heart medal.

 

With kind thanks to the 384th Bomb Group website (384thbombgroup.com) for permission in using material from their records in the making of this story. It holds a wealth of information, documents and photographs of their activities during World War 2.