DOB/DOD: January 18, 1908 (London, England) – October 4, 1978 (Westhampton Beach, NY); 70 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Nancy Burkett Leary on August 6, 1940, in Manhattan, New York. Divorced in 1949.
LOCAL ADDRESS: parents in Harbor View Beach, Rowayton, Starlight Drive and Romindon Court, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: March 16, 1943
SERVICE NUMBER: 32867810
UNIT: 574th Bomb Squadron, 391st Bomb Group
FAMILY: Born to Edward R. (1889-1968) and Lillian Von Castelberg (?-?). Stepmothers, Eleanor Muttitt von Castelberg (1899-1984) and Julianna M. von Castelberg (1889-1958). No siblings.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Held in German POW camp Stalag 2A Neubrandenburg Mecklenberg 53-13.
This photo is an archival photo related to the pilot of the plane, Lt Donald Sharp, in the circle, far left. Edward von Castelberg is 2nd from the right.
Date: December 23, 1944
Time: 1201
Intended destination: Railroad bridge in Ahrweiler, Germany
Location of incident: 3 miles east of Ahrweiler, Germany
Aircraft type: B-26 Marauder
Aircraft serial number: 43-34440
Incident details: Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. Starboard engine and wing set on fire and hydraulics shot out by fighters, bail out bell rung but did not work, copilot crawled through blazing bomb bay to warn crew in rear, then he and three other crew bailed out of rear, the selfless pilot crashing to his death along with the Bomb/Nav last seen battling the inferno in the bomb bay with a CO2 extinguisher.
Crew of 43-34440
Pilot; 2nd Lt Donald N. Sharp, San Diego, CA; KIA
Co-Pilot; 2nd Lt Raymond E. Hedstrom; Saint Louis, MO; POW
Bombardier; 2nd Lt: William D. Hawkinson; Quincy, IL; KIA
Rear Gunner/Radioman; TSgt Edward H. Von Castelberg; New York, NY; POW
Engineer/Gunner; SSgt Glynn T. Gilbert; Houston, TX; POW
Armorer/Gunner; Sgt Glenn E. Doyal; Austell, GA; POW
From The Norwalk Hour January 16, 1945
GETS WORD SON IS MISSING
Tech. Sgt. Edward R. Von Castelberg Jr. Was In Plane Over Germany
Technical Sergeant Edward R. Von Castelberg Jr., of the 9th Air Force, has been missing in action over Germany since December 23, according to word received on Saturday from the War Department by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Von Castelberg of Harbor View Beach. Technical Sergeant Von Castelberg received a citation from his commanding officer only five weeks ago for bravery beyond the call of duty. He entered the armed forces on March 16, 1943, training at Miami, Florida, before going overseas. He was at Scott Field, Illinois, and Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana.
From The Norwalk Hour April 3, 1945
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Von Castelberg of Harbor View Beach are elated today as a result of having received a letter from their son, Technical Sergeant Edward Von Castelberg Jr., missing in a raid over Germany since December 23. Although Mr. and Mrs. Von Castelberg had hope for their son’s safety since early last month, when his wife, residing in New York, received a letter from the wife of one of his crewmates stating that the entire crew was safe, the letter from their son is the first official confirmation they have had. Sergeant Von Castelberg states that he is well and is being held in Camp Stammlager, New Brandenburg, Germany. He is only permitted to write two letters a month. Although it was assumed that all members of the crew were safe, Sergeant Von Castelberg writes as follows of the pilot of the bomber: “He was a wonderful fellow, and I will never forget,” so it seems possible that the pilot may have been lost. Technical Sergeant Von Castelberg entered the service in March 1943 and had been overseas since last June, based with the 9th Air Force in Southern France.
Unknown burial information
END
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