Grant Nathaniel Braden born at Griswold, Iowa on 23 December 1918.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 10 April 1942, and was called into active duty on 20 October 1942.

He completed pre-flight, Primary flight training at Vernon, Texas; and Basic flight training at Enid, Oklahoma. Graduated from Advanced Twin Engine Flying Training School (TEFTS) at Dodge City, Kansas and qualified as a B-26 Marauder pilot.

He deployed to the European Theatre from Hunter Army Air Field near Savannah, Georgia on 1 April 1944 and served in Africa and England.

After landing the aircraft at Land's End Field near Cornwall, he was sent to Ireland for Escape and Evasion Training, and then on to RAF Rivenhall in Essex, England; and assigned to 9th Air Force, 98th Bomb Wing, 397th Bombardment Group (Medium), 597th Bomb Squadron.

On 30 January 1945, he flew a Martin B-26B Marauder nicknamed "Dottie Dee" serial #42-96162, fuselage code: U2-N, on a weather reconnaissance flight during a blinding snow storm.

The "Dottie Dee" hit a mountain near Reims, France and all crew members were killed in the crash near Courtisols, France.

He had flown over 50 missions when he was Killed In Action in France on 30 January 1945.

O-690177 Grant N. Braden 1LT Iowa

O-703050 Howard W. Eggert 2LT New York

34331034 Paul M. Lynn SSgt Alabama

37660044 Wilbur C. Wisecup TSgt California

NOTE: Lt. Braden was assigned to the 597th BS, and the "Dottie Dee" carried a 598th BS fuselage code of U2-N.

Grant N Braden