Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
WHEELER, Bill Joe "Billy" - Date of
birth
27 February 1924 -
Age
18 - Place of
birth
Texas -
Hometown
Easterly, Robertson County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38058747 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 February 1943 - Place of
death
12 miles northwest of the western tip of Terschelling Island, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
William F. Wheeler (father)
Susie L. (Horne) Wheeler (mother)
Georgie M. Wheeler (sister)
Mamie L. Wheeler (sister)
Evalena Wheeler (sister)
Letha J. Wheeler (sister)
Ella M. Wheeler (sister)
Betty S. Wheeler (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24544 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Pennsylvania Polka
Destination: Hamm, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 3557/4635
More information
T/Sgt Billy joe Wheeler joined the Regular Army at Fort Sam, Texas on 17 October 1941.After suffering damage during the bomb run, the airplane was attacked by FW 190's on the return flight shortly after 12.40 hrs., knocking out #3 engine.
The entire crew of ten men was killed and their remains were never recovered. Seven are remembered at the Walls of the Missing of Margraten, three are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at the American Military Cemetery and Memorial of Cambridge.
Billy Joe Wheeler is memorialized at the Ferguson Cemetery at Oletha, Limestone County in Texas.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, MACR, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Stars and Stripes 27 May 1958, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: FOHF, Franklin M. Phillips