World War II Honoree

Claude Lavon Rains

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Del Rio, Texas

Honored By

Bonni Rains

Relationship

Daughter

PILOTING B-17G SERIAL 44-6631 OF 463RD BOMB GROUP, 773RD BOMB SQUADRON ON THE GROUP'S DECEMBER 25, 1944 MISSION TO BRUX, CZECHOSLOVAKIA. HIT BY FLAK, THE SHIP CRASHED NEAR BARTELSDORF, EAST OF HAMBURG, GERMANY. HE WAS A POW AT STALAG LUFT 1, NORTH 3. THE 463RD WAS BASED AT THE TIME AT CELONE AIRFIELD, ITALY. RETURNED TO ALLIED CARE IN MAY 1945.