Staff Sergeant Hans Christian Erickson of New Jersey, U.S.A. died in Northern Ireland when B-26B Marauder #41-18072 crashed close to Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim.
Staff Sergeant
32159746
Staff Sergeant Hans Christian Erickson (32159746) served in 3rd Combat Crew Replacement Center, 8th United States Army Air Force during the Second World War. Born on 2nd August 1917, and known as Sonny, he was the son of Hans Peter Ericksen and Matilda Twibill Ericksen of Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Sonny enlisted on 22nd July 1941 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, U.S.A. and was based at Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim from June 1944 – July 1944. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Erickson died on American Independence Day, 4th July 1944 while serving as an engineer on B-26B #41-18072. The plane crashed tail first in a peat bog on high ground in Co. Antrim while on a short navigational flight from Toome Airfield.
Burial first took place at Lisnabreeny American Military Cemetery, Belfast on 5th July 1944. After the war, Ericksen was repatriated to Grave 292 of Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S.A.