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name
WITT, Orville Strickler Jr - Date of
birth
17 June 1919 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Amarillo, Potter County, Texas -
Hometown
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-436028 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
20 December 1942 - Place of
death
English Channel, off the coast of Dieppe
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Orville S. Witt (father)
Ruth A. Witt (mother)
Marjorie J. (Hawkins) Witt (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24566 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Zombie
Destination: Romilly-sur-Seine, France
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 15708
More information
1st Lt Orville S. Witt Jr. attended the University of Oklahoma. He was employed at Brown, Bellows & Columbia Construction Company.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 16 July 1941.
On the way back, the airplane was attacked by enemy fighters. It ditched in the English Channel, off the coast of Dieppe, France.
The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 303rd Bomb Group, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Wendy Lensink, 303rd Bomb Group