Leopoldo's parents were Jeremias Velarde and Adelaida Becker. Identified siblings were Cristóbal, Carlota, Esther, Cora, Ignacia "Ina", Sophia, and Edward Joseph
In 1930, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremia & Adelaida B. Velarde and siblings: Christopher, Ignacía María, Ester, Eduardo, and Sophia Velarde (1930 Census).
In 1940, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremias & Adelaida Velarde and siblings: Ignacita, Ester, Eduardo, and Sofia Velarde (1940 Census).
On 16 Feb 1942, Velarde, Rio Arriba, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: 7 Aug 1921, Velarde), a resident of Velarde, registered for the World War II draft. He was described as 5' 10", 140 pounds, light complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. Next of kin was recorded as his father Jeremias Velarde (Draft Card).
On 10 Sep 1942, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: ~1921, New Mexico), a resident of Rio Arriba County, enlisted as a Private; Service #38167167. He was described as 69", 138 pounds, semiskilled in construction occupations, and 4 years of high school (Army Enlistments).
On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Leopoldo's next of kin was listed as "Jerome" Velarde of Velarde, New Mexico.
On 11 Jan 1950, SSgt Leopoldo Velarde (D: 13 Apr 1944; Service #38167167) was reinterred in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri from an overseas burial. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was in group burial 3574, GB-250 with his crewmates (Internment Record).
In 1930, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremia & Adelaida B. Velarde and siblings: Christopher, Ignacía María, Ester, Eduardo, and Sophia Velarde (1930 Census).
In 1940, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremias & Adelaida Velarde and siblings: Ignacita, Ester, Eduardo, and Sofia Velarde (1940 Census).
On 16 Feb 1942, Velarde, Rio Arriba, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: 7 Aug 1921, Velarde), a resident of Velarde, registered for the World War II draft. He was described as 5' 10", 140 pounds, light complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. Next of kin was recorded as his father Jeremias Velarde (Draft Card).
On 10 Sep 1942, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: ~1921, New Mexico), a resident of Rio Arriba County, enlisted as a Private; Service #38167167. He was described as 69", 138 pounds, semiskilled in construction occupations, and 4 years of high school (Army Enlistments).
On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Leopoldo's next of kin was listed as "Jerome" Velarde of Velarde, New Mexico.
On 11 Jan 1950, SSgt Leopoldo Velarde (D: 13 Apr 1944; Service #38167167) was reinterred in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri from an overseas burial. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was in group burial 3574, GB-250 with his crewmates (Internment Record).
Leopoldo's parents were Jeremias Velarde and Adelaida Becker. Identified siblings were Cristóbal, Carlota, Esther, Cora, Ignacia "Ina", Sophia, and Edward Joseph
In 1930, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremia & Adelaida B. Velarde and siblings: Christopher, Ignacía María, Ester, Eduardo, and Sophia Velarde (1930 Census).
In 1940, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremias & Adelaida Velarde and siblings: Ignacita, Ester, Eduardo, and Sofia Velarde (1940 Census).
On 16 Feb 1942, Velarde, Rio Arriba, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: 7 Aug 1921, Velarde), a resident of Velarde, registered for the World War II draft. He was described as 5' 10", 140 pounds, light complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. Next of kin was recorded as his father Jeremias Velarde (Draft Card).
On 10 Sep 1942, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: ~1921, New Mexico), a resident of Rio Arriba County, enlisted as a Private; Service #38167167. He was described as 69", 138 pounds, semiskilled in construction occupations, and 4 years of high school (Army Enlistments).
On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Leopoldo's next of kin was listed as "Jerome" Velarde of Velarde, New Mexico.
On 11 Jan 1950, SSgt Leopoldo Velarde (D: 13 Apr 1944; Service #38167167) was reinterred in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri from an overseas burial. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was in group burial 3574, GB-250 with his crewmates (Internment Record).
In 1930, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremia & Adelaida B. Velarde and siblings: Christopher, Ignacía María, Ester, Eduardo, and Sophia Velarde (1930 Census).
In 1940, Velarde, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde was enumerated with his parents Jeremias & Adelaida Velarde and siblings: Ignacita, Ester, Eduardo, and Sofia Velarde (1940 Census).
On 16 Feb 1942, Velarde, Rio Arriba, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: 7 Aug 1921, Velarde), a resident of Velarde, registered for the World War II draft. He was described as 5' 10", 140 pounds, light complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. Next of kin was recorded as his father Jeremias Velarde (Draft Card).
On 10 Sep 1942, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Leopoldo Velarde (B: ~1921, New Mexico), a resident of Rio Arriba County, enlisted as a Private; Service #38167167. He was described as 69", 138 pounds, semiskilled in construction occupations, and 4 years of high school (Army Enlistments).
On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Leopoldo's next of kin was listed as "Jerome" Velarde of Velarde, New Mexico.
On 11 Jan 1950, SSgt Leopoldo Velarde (D: 13 Apr 1944; Service #38167167) was reinterred in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri from an overseas burial. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was in group burial 3574, GB-250 with his crewmates (Internment Record).
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