General Nathan Bedford Forrest III (April 7, 1905 – June 13, 1943)

The great grandson of the Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest, General Nathan Bedford Forrest III was killed in action when he went down with his B-17 over Germany. He reportedly stayed behind the controls until the last of the crew was able to evacuate, but was not able to get out before the plane exploded. Sadly, all but one crew member perished in the water before rescue. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Forrest was the last of the family line and had no children. Sources list him as the first American General killed in action in the war in Europe.

Source: The Arlington National Cemetery website

In the same bombing mission over Kiel, at least 22 American aircraft in the US 8th Air Force were brought down (2,194 Days of War).