DOB/DOD: August 22, 1918 (Rockville, CT) – January 11, 1943; 24 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 104 South Main Street
ENLISTMENT: September 1, 1941
SERVICE NUMBER: 11033044
UNIT: 514th Bomber Squadron, 376th Bomber Group (Heavy)
FAMILY: Born to Delfasse (1851-?) and Daisy Avery Vanesse (1888-?). Two brothers, Ellery James (1916-1998) and William (1905-?). Three sisters, Alice P. Vanesse Gerstenlauer (1908-1998), Dorothy L. Vanesse Molinaro (1909-1971), and Verna Marion Combs (1912-1992). Many different spellings of the last name in newspapers and records.
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart Medal.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Killed in a B-24 plane crash in the Mediterranean
From The Norwalk Hour March 22, 1943
Staff Sergeant Harold “Tex” Vanesse, who made his home at 20 West Avenue, in this city, was killed in action on January 11, friends in this city were notified over the weekend. Sergeant Vanesse was first reported as missing in action on January 9 His death was confirmed by the International Red Cross. Sergeant Vanesse was a bombardier attached to the Halverson detachment. He has a brother, Ellery Vanesse, whose home is in New Britain. Sergeant Vanesse entered the service on September 1, 1941. Prior to that, he was employed at the Segal Lock Company, at Corpy’s Restaurant, Railroad Avenue, and at the Burdick Diner, South Main Street. He had been a resident of this city for more than 10 years. He had many friends in this city.
From armyaircorps-376bg.com: Ole Rock, serial number 41-11618, was one of the 23 HALPRO B-24s. Her RCL was #4. She was lost on her 8th mission attacking a convoy.
From armyaircorps-376bg.com: George Uhrich provided the above photo. He ID’d the men as follows:
Standing, L to R
Co-Pilot 2d Lt Ferdinand R. ‘Rudy’ Schmidt
Navigator/Bombardier 2d Lt Allen V. Hopkins
Pilot 2d Kt George A. ‘Speedball’ Uhrich
Kneeling, L to R:
Radio Operator SSgt Douglas H. Williams
Gunner SSgt David A. Tunno
Engineer SSgt Louie L. Walters
Armorer Sgt Harold C. Van Ness
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy; Plot F, Row 11, Grave 55. Picture provided by Melanie Resto, Superintendent, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.
END
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