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name
WILSON, Hershel Lee - Date of
birth
11 September 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Jefferson, Grant County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Texas City, Galveston County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-812711 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
751st Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
21 June 1944 - Place of
death
Friesacker-Zootzen, 25 miles northwest of Nauen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 33 | 23 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry A. Wilson (father)
Nova L. (Kennedy) Wilson (mother)
Marvin L. Wilson (brother)
Loretta J. Wilson (sister)
Sara E. Wilson (wife)
Cynthia L. Wilson (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31656 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 6004
More information
2nd Lt Hershel L. Wilson graduated from Norman High School.He joined the National Guard in Norman, Oklahoma on 16 September 1940 and served for a while in Panama with an infantry unit. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and completed Pilot Training in Mississippi and Texas.
The aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and blew up. Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four men were killed.
Lt Wilson was initially buried at the community cemetery of Friesack on the day of his death.
His brother served with the infantry in Italy.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial, NARA, www.fold3.com - MACR, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org)
Photo source: Jac Engels, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org), www.findagrave.com