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Submit- Full
name
MARTSCH, William - Date of
birth
3 July 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho -
Hometown
Rupert, Minidoka County, Idaho
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39922797 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
18 March 1945 - Place of
death
Hospital of Grodiskz, Poland
Grodiskz, Poland
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gottlieb Martsch (father)
Lydia E. (Mayer) Martsch (mother)
John Martsch (brother)
Leah Martsch (sister)
Paul Martsch (brother)
Rhihold Martsch (brother)
Rudolph Martsch (brother)
Herbert Martsch (brother)
Viola Martsch (sister)
Benjamin Martsch (brother)
Theodore Martsch (brother)
August Martsch (brother)
Joseph Martsch (brother)
Hulda Martsch (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102481 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Kentucky Winner
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Ostbahnhof railway station
MACR: 13141
More information
Sgt William Martsch enlisted on 12 November 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho.The airplane was hit by flak as it was turning from the target after bombs away. #3 engine was burning and the bomb bay was on fire. It pulled off to the side and dove down into the clouds.
According to statements of surviving crew men, Russian fighters later attacked the aircraft. Due to the damage, the aircraft crash landed near Grodiskz, Poland. The whole crew stayed on board. During this attack, Sgt Martsch was hit by an explosive shell near the hip. After the crash, he was taken to a hospital, where he died.
He was initially buried in Grodiskz, Poland.
The rest of the crew, eight men, survived.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Martsch Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.myheritage.nl - Twin Falls Times News, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.myheritage.nl - Twin Falls Times News