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Personal info

Full name
HEIST, Walter H
Date of birth
6 April 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Jefferson County, Kentucky
Hometown
Alden, Erie County, New York

Military service

Service number
32380856
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
496th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
27 April 1944
Place of death
Fort Mardyck, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 14 25

Immediate family

Members
Wesley G. Heist (father)
Alice G. (McAvoy) Heist (mother)
Jean A. Heist (sister)
Frank T. Heist (brother)
John D. Heist (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95893
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: -
Destination: Fort Mardyck, France
Mission: Bombing of coastal artillery batteries
MACR: 4145

More information

Sgt Walter H. Heist was a machine operator before enlisted on 21 July 1942 in Buffalo, New York.
The airplane was hit directly over the target immediately after dropping bombs. The released bombs had not as yet hit the target when flak hit the plane. The left engine was seen to burst into flames, the plane then went into a dive, burst completely into flames and crashed approximately one hundred and fifty yards from the target. One crew member survived and was taken prisoner, five men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment record, www.ancestry.com - 1930 census, Various Family trees, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com/db/index.php

Photo source: Peter Schouteten