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Personal info

Full name
RICH, William Jr
Date of birth
25 August 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Roundout, Lake County, Illinois
Hometown
Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36608380
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
20 October 1943
Place of death
Between the roads Overbroekseweg and Horsterweg
Leunen, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 22 9

Immediate family

Members
William Rich (father)
Sophia (Rennert) Rich (mother)
Earl Rich (brother)
Anonia M. Rich (sister)
James Rich (brother)
Mary Rich (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3130
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Nip’n Tuck II
Destination: Düren, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the railway complex and aviation industry
MACR: 902

More information

S/Sgt William Rich Jr. graduated from Libertyville High School in 1940.

On the return flight, the airplane was attacked by enemy fighters. It was so badly hit it exploded in mid-air. Debris were scattered across a wide area.

Eight crew members were kiled and initially buried at the military cemetery of Venlo. Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner.

In 2014 a local research team, the Planehunters Recovery Team, found parts of the airplane in the vicinity of the crash. It was decided to erect a monument at the Hoogriebroekseweg in honor of the crew.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree / 1930 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, http://www.planehunters.be/

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Libertyville High School Yearbook 1940, Joop Hendrix / Lynn Sharpe Jehle