"Steve" was born March 21, 1922, was an only child and lived with his parents at 7 Burnham Place. His father worked for the Dictaphone Corporation in New York City. While at Ridgewood High School, between study sessions he played intramural basketball, was in the international club, was treasurer of the German Club, sang in the Second Choir and the A Capella Choir, was in the Red Cross play, on the cafeteria committee, the town council and the library staff.
He went to college and was a senior at Columbia Business School when called to the service in December 1942, entering active service September 19, 1943. He trained at Camp Davis, Camp Edwards and Fort Sill before going overseas as a pilot of a "Mosquito" Piper Cub.
Lt. Bode died February 2, 1945 in Forges-les-Eaux near Rouen, France of third degree burns to his face, legs and arms suffered in an accident the previous day. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal, posthumously "for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy on 1 February, 1945, in France. In taking off from a temporary airfield the engine of the plane which he was piloting failed from unknown causes. To avoid crashing into an occupied house with children playing in the yard, Lieutenant Bode deliberately changed his course, fully aware such action would lead to a stalling turn at very low altitude and a certain crash at risk of his own life. In the ensuing crash he received injuries which resulted in death. His unusual courage, self sacrifice and strong devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Bode and the armed forces of the United States." At death Bruce Bode was 21 years old.
From book "At Death he was 25 years old" by Christopher C. Stout (F.A.G. contributor #48289027)
"Steve" was born March 21, 1922, was an only child and lived with his parents at 7 Burnham Place. His father worked for the Dictaphone Corporation in New York City. While at Ridgewood High School, between study sessions he played intramural basketball, was in the international club, was treasurer of the German Club, sang in the Second Choir and the A Capella Choir, was in the Red Cross play, on the cafeteria committee, the town council and the library staff.
He went to college and was a senior at Columbia Business School when called to the service in December 1942, entering active service September 19, 1943. He trained at Camp Davis, Camp Edwards and Fort Sill before going overseas as a pilot of a "Mosquito" Piper Cub.
Lt. Bode died February 2, 1945 in Forges-les-Eaux near Rouen, France of third degree burns to his face, legs and arms suffered in an accident the previous day. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal, posthumously "for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy on 1 February, 1945, in France. In taking off from a temporary airfield the engine of the plane which he was piloting failed from unknown causes. To avoid crashing into an occupied house with children playing in the yard, Lieutenant Bode deliberately changed his course, fully aware such action would lead to a stalling turn at very low altitude and a certain crash at risk of his own life. In the ensuing crash he received injuries which resulted in death. His unusual courage, self sacrifice and strong devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Bode and the armed forces of the United States." At death Bruce Bode was 21 years old.
From book "At Death he was 25 years old" by Christopher C. Stout (F.A.G. contributor #48289027)
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement