Charles "Buddy" Granville Koontz
2nd Lt 0-757881 612th
California
1922 - 1944
Bombardier aboard 42-39943 (Lassie Come Home)
Nelson cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska, USA
Block : 3 , Lot : 21.
1922 - 1944
Charles was born Jun 23, 1922, Nelson, Nuckolls, Nebraska.
With his folks he moved to California in 1941.
In Feb 12, 1943 he enlisted to the Air Corps.
In Mar 30, 1944 he arrived in England to join the 401st BG.
His second and last mission, May 7, 1944, Target: Berlin, the plane was hit by fighters.
A/C dropped down and back from its position, No 2 engine feathered and crashed east of Celle, Germany.
He was awarded with an Air Medal and a Purple Heart Medal.
In 1944, when Charles died on the age of 21 he left behind his family :
His father, Charles H. Koontz, + (1928)
His step-father, Carl Horn, age --
His mother, Margaret M Troudt Koontz, age 48
His brother, Dale O Bliven, age 30
His sister, Helene Bliven, age 25
His brother, Darlene Bliven, age 7
His wife, Della Koontz, age --
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2nd Lt. Charles Granville Koontz, better known among his friends as "Buddy," was born at Nelson,
Nebraska, June 23, 1922.
With his folks he moved to California in 1941, and enlisted in the Army Airforce February 12, 1942.
Took basic training at Santa Ana, Calif.; from there went to Thunderbird Field, on to Roswell, N.M.,
and to Pyote, Texas; was commissioned at Roswell as a Bombadier, May, 1943.
He embarked for oversea duty in England, March 30, 1944, and was killed in action on his 2nd mission
over Berlin, Germany, May 7, 1944, at the age of 21 years, 10 months and 14 days.
Buddy spent his childhood in Nelson, and graduated from Nelson High School in 1940.
He was active in music and sports throughout his school life.
He joined the Nelson Methodist church (sic) when about eight years of age.
He was a wonderful person to know and is greatly missed by those who knew him.
Buddy was united in marriage to Della Reece of Santa Ana, Calif., January 30, 1943.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles H. Koontz, September 7, 1928.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, Mrs. Carl Horn, and step-father, Carl Horn,
his siter, Helen and husband, Dale Bliven; their two daughters, all of Pearblossom, Cal.,
Grandfather Jacob Koontz, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.
His body was returned to New York City May 6, 1949 and was sent from there to Nelson for reinterment.
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Mission to Berlin, germany, Crashed near Langlingen, Germany
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