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name
CALIGAN, William L Jr - Date of
birth
28 March 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut -
Hometown
New Haven County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11045589 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
21 May 1943 - Place of
death
Wilhemshaven, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 34 | 55 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William L. Caligan (father)
Evelyn Caligan (mother)
Frederic Caligan (twin brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3053 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
MACR: 443B
More information
William Caligan graduated from Wilby High School.Statement from S/Sgt Robert J. Abt:
"Crashed with plane. I was BT Gunner on my first trip with this crew and didn't known their names or residences too well. Enemy fighters set our plane in flames. We were going to crash land, but at 1000ft the plane began to crack and two of us bailed out safely. I didn't see any other chutes leave the plane and believe Caligan was among those who crashed to their deaths."
The picture was taken in high school in 1938.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - WWII Draft Registration Card, 1930 Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, Wilby High School 1938