World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Fernando B. Rangel
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Corpus Christi, Texas
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 26 MARCH 1943 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON,TEXAS. ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 464TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), 776TH BOMB SQUADRON, AT PANATELLA ARMY AIR BASE, ITALY. ON 11 DECEMBER 1944, HE WAS AN ENGINEER/GUNNER ONBOARD A B-24 LIBERATOR NICKNAMED THE 'FAST NUMBER' (RECALL LETTER: BLACK E; TAIL # 42-95337). WHILE ON A BOMBING MISSION THAT DAY OVER THE SOUTH ORDNANCE DEPOT AT VIENNA, AUSTRIA, THE AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY FLAK FROM AN 88MM GERMAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN, THAT BROKE OFF PART OF THE RIGHT WING, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE AIRCRAFT.