Eleazar L. Moody

July 26, 1918 – July 28, 1943 (MIA/KIA)

Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, TX) 9 Aug 1943

Eleazar L. Moody, born July 26, 1918, was the son of Joe T. & Ascencion G. Moody of San Benito. He was married to Martha Olazabal Moody and had a son, Eleazar T. Moody (Tommy). Eleazar was a graduate of San Benito High School class of 1937. His sisters and brother are Mrs. Iris Garcia and Mrs. Esther Trevino of San Benito, Mrs. Eva M. Salinas and Mr. Edelmiro Moody.

He and his family were prominent members of Mexican Presbyterian Church of San Benito. (Getsemani Presbyterian Church). A special service, honoring Eleazar and the fallen young men of the church, was held on April 24, 1947.

Eleazar was the bombardier aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 326th Bomb Squadron. He served from April 1941 through his death July 1943.

In a letter from the War Department one year after he was reported missing in action 28, July 1943, his mother is informed that "he was the bombardier of a B-17F Flying Fortress that was attacked by enemy fighter planes. The plane exploded in mid-air while in the vicinity of the German-Netherlands border."

In a letter from the Department of the Army seven years later, his mother is again informed that "your son was one of ten crew members manifested aboard a B-17 which failed to return from a bombing mission to Oschersleban, Germany, on 28 July 1943. This plane is reported as having been shot down near Lathen, Germany, following an attack by an enemy fighter plane."

The letter ends, "Realizing the extent of your great loss, it is regretted that there is no grave at which to pay homage. May the knowledge of your son's honorable service to his country be a source of sustaining comfort to you.”

Eleazar posthumously received the Purple Heart, the Air Medal w/4 Combat Stars, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Service Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56301986/eleazar-l-moody