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name
DRENNON, William Mcadoo - Date of
birth
11 April 1924 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Taft, Lincoln County, Tennessee -
Hometown
Taft, Lincoln County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34714956 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
unknown -
Unit
74th Squadron,
42nd Air Service Group
-
Awards
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Died non-Battle - Date of
death
13 May 1945 - Place of
death
Huizingen, 7 miles south of Brussels, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 39 | 50 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Annie M. Drennon (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-96048 -
Data
Type: B-26B
More information
Cpl William Drennon enlisted on 11 May 1943 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee.On 13 May 1945 a formation of two B-26s flew on a low-level formation navigation flight. The pilot of the lead airplane, 1st Lt Doming, Jr., stated that he had advised 2nd Lt Whitehead, pilot of the ill-fated plane, not to attempt to fly formation due to the turbulence that day. Lt Whitehead dropped back and to the right but kept his sight of the lead plane. As they flew along, the waist gunner of Lt Doming's aircraft stated to him over the interphone that he could see Lt Whitehead buzzing villages and surrounding terrain. During the process of buzzing, Lt Whitehead's right wing of the aircraft struck a tree, causing the airplane to swing to the right. His altitude at this time was so low, he was unable to right the plane and the right wing struck the ground at a great speed, causing the crash. Parts of the plane were strewn over a great forward distance, carrying all the crew members to their death.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, http://forum.armyairforces.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels