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Submit- Full
name
BRECKELS, Winston Joseph - Date of
birth
10 September 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36501774 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
423rd Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
20 June 1944 - Place of
death
Eidelstedt, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 12 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George R. Breckels (father)
Anastasia W. Breckels (mother)
George W. Breckels (brother)
Loren A. Breckels (brother)
James A. Breckels (brother)
Margarite A. Breckels (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97250 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR:5987
More information
T/Sgt Winston J. Breckels graduated from De La Salle High School. He was employed by Briggs Co.He enlisted in May 1942.
The airplane was hit by flak over the target after bombs away. Fire broke out on the two inboard engines and spread over the nose to the radio room. The airplane peeled out the formation, side-slipping to the left and went straight down.
Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner, five men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Hamburg-Ohlsdorf.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Detroit News - 19 September 1945