P-47 Last Seen Trailing Smoke KIA Luxembourg

[manayunkman]

My partner called me up one day for a house clean out he lined up.

 

More like a downsize but this little gem of a group came from it.

 

The lady was either his wife or other close relative.

 

I think it was his wife because she said the uniform was bought with the expectation of his return.

 

But he is KIA when his P-47 was last seen on the deck trailing smoke and never gets to wear the uniform.

 

This whole group came together from this lady. I think she had remarried but always kept these things from her first husband.

 

The only name is on the bracelet. Paul W. Stitt 13157782

 

Notice the plastic buckle.

[manayunkman]

These items were in the pocket.

[manayunkman]

The wing.

[manayunkman]

Serial # and name.

[History Man]

I think this is your guy.

 

2nd Lt. Paul W. Stitt Ser. (O-830115)

 

56th Fighter Group, 62nd Fighter Squadron

 

Plane: P47D mission: Fighter Sweep - GE

 

KIA: 11 April 1945

 

Wounded on April 10 mission and though to have landed at Allied Airfield. Died on the 11th from complications.

 

 

Buried in plot D, row 30, grave 4 in American War Cemetary Ardennes.

 

 

Philip

[manayunkman]

I think this is who I got it from.

[manayunkman]

I think this is your guy.

 

2nd Lt. Paul W. Stitt Ser. (O-830115)

 

56th Fighter Group, 62nd Fighter Squadron

 

Plane: P47D mission: Fighter Sweep - GE

 

KIA: 11 April 1945

 

Wounded on April 10 mission and though to have landed at Allied Airfield. Died on the 11th from complications.

Buried in plot D, row 30, grave 4 in American War Cemetary Ardennes.

Philip

 

 

Thanks Philip,

 

I wonder what that number is on the ID bracelet ?

 

M

[manayunkman]

The tag on the jacket.

[hbtcoveralls]

what a heartbreaking group, thanks so much for sharing.

Tom Bowers

[locobuster]

Thanks Philip,

 

I wonder what that number is on the ID bracelet ?

 

M

 

 

I believe that's his ASN as an enlisted man, they were issued new ones with the O- designation upon becoming officers. Looks like your guy was from Pennsylvania and enlisted in December, '42.

 

This is from the May 12, 1945 Gettysburg Star and Sentinel, page 1:

 

 

Hope that helps a little. A great (albeit quite sad) grouping!

 

Syd

[cantar]

Thanks Philip,

 

I wonder what that number is on the ID bracelet ?

 

M

 

The serial number on the bracelet (13157782) is Stitt's serial number as an aviation cadet. After graduating (and his promotion), he would have received a new serial number (in his case O-830115 with the 'O' denoting his commission as an 'officer').

 

Kindest regards

 

Kristof

[seanmc1114]

The tag on the jacket.

It doesn't seem like such a big deal now, but from the variety of WWII uniforms I have seen over the years, that is actually a fairly large size even though it would not be considered so today. I have seen a lot of uniforms that tend to be in the range of 36 Regular with the occasional 34 Regular not being too uncommon. And "large" fighter pilots probably weren't too comfortable in those cramped cockpits.

[doyler]

56th Fighter is a pretty well known Fighter Group in the ETO.Very nice connection.In the picture Phillip posted you can see Stitt wearing and English made helmet and mask.

 

Manny

 

the stars on the EMAE ribbon are the large english type as well.

[tom2001]

Very nice little group!!

 

My guess is that the uniform was sent home with his personal effects. Officer's uniforms were private purchase items, and pretty expensive. The wife really wouldn't know what medals or rank he would have on his return.

[manayunkman]

what a heartbreaking group, thanks so much for sharing.

Tom Bowers

 

I am glad it was meaningful to you.

 

M

[KySoldier]

A nice group. I pray that someday his remains will be found. God bless this brave warrior and keep him.

[JDK]

I missed this one the first time around. Very nice set and thanks for sharing, and remembering his service!

 

JD

[bobgee]

A nice group. I pray that someday his remains will be found. God bless this brave warrior and keep him.

 

As stated in the nes clipping, he DOW and is buried in the Ardennes Cemetery in Belgium. Below is from the ABMC site.......Bobgee

Paul W. Stitt

 

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

 

Service # O-830115

 

62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group

Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania

Died: 11-Apr-45

Buried at: Plot D Row 30 Grave 4

Ardennes American Cemetery

Neupre, Belgium Awards: Purple Heart

[manayunkman]

Thank you for the interest in Mr Stitt.

 

I think he was hit by flak.

[Waltz41]

56th was Zemke's Wolfpack......one of the few (maybe only? i forget at the moment) to never convert to P-51's...they flew P-47s throughout the entire war. Sad story this one though. Nice grouping. Way to keep the memories alive. This pilot, though not an ace or big name, served his country and thanks to you will not be forgotten.

[Ches-Gen-4]

A very moving group and well documented and presented. Thanks, Bob

[Guest lfficke]

Hello, My neighbor here in Tucson AZ. is an old man by the name of Robert Stitt. I go over there and drink beer and chit chat. He flew B-17's with the 8th air Force at the end of WWII. On one of these missions over Berlin his group was escorted by P-47's, one of which was flown by his brother Paul Stitt. Since there was little enemy fighter opposition at the end of the war, the P-47's were instructed to Strafe after the bombers left. Bob's brother Paul was doing his strafing run and got hit in the leg by small arms fire and he anouced he would try and make Holland for an emergency landing there, which he was able to do. Unfortunately he did not taxi back, he just went off the end of the run way and got stuck in the mud. When they came up to the plane he had already bled to death. Bob is 93 now and I thought it would be interesting to look up his brother's name and see what I could find on the internet. The coat find and pictures are facinating and now you know more of that coat.

[Nuts]

Wow, what history.

[manayunkman]

Thank you for posting that very interesting information about the Stitts.

 

Is the brother also from Pa. ?

 

The lady that these items came from lived in Shiremanstown near Harrisburg, Pa.

 

Does he know who she was ? His wife ?

[Guest lfficke]

Paul was the youngest brother of three brothers and three sister's. They grew up in a small towh near Gettysberg PA. Bob was 9 when his dad died so paul must have been about 5. They mom and six children lived in a two story house on maybe an acre of land, enough to have a cow, two hogs and 200 chickens, they grew potato's and had peach and other fruit trees. they hunted rabbiets and squirrels. The only food they brought at a store was flour and salt. The boys ran plows, cut wood etc. for money and food for the family. All the children even the girls entered the military in one form are another. They did not have a car, they walked and rode bicycles and hitched rides. Bob lived at home and then what the Army provided. Not until the war was over did he buy his first car and get a house. I will ask tonight, but I would guess that Paul lived at home and then in what the Army had. I will also ask Bob about Paul's wife.