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name
DOEPPKE, Otto J - Date of
birth
26 May 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Iowa -
Hometown
Clayton County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37654332 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Turret Gunner -
Unit
723rd Bombardment Squadron,
450th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 April 1944 - Place of
death
Calinesti, Jud. Muscel, Roumania
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | 32 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Otto Doeppke (father)
Pauline Doeppke (mother)
Viola (Knapp) Doeppke (sister)
Lucille M. (Hanson) Doeppke (wife)
Teddy Lou Doeppke (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-78199 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Ploesti, Roumania
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 3960
More information
Sgt Otto J. Doeppke enlisted at Camp Dodge Herrold, Iowa on 7 January 1943.Statement from S/Sgt Edward J. Mackafee:
"On 5 April 1944, our group was on a mission to bomb the target at Ploesti, Roumania. I was flying as gunner in ship #104 in the left element of the second attack unit. Lt Laol's ship 42-78199 was flying in the same element. At the target area, I saw Lt Laols ship hit by fighters. It immediately left the formation. I saw two chutes leave the plane just before it want into a steep dive. Soon afterwards I saw two more chutes. I lost sight of the plane at about 15,000 Feet."
Source of information:FOHF, The Telegraph-Herald - 16 March 1945, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Possehl Hoover Family Tree / 1930 Census / WWII Enlistment Record
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Telegraph-Herald - 16 March 1945