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Personal info

Full name
WENTE, Emil George
Date of birth
16 October 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Warren Township, Bremer County, Iowa
Hometown
Waverly, Pike County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
37658286
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
364th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
22 May 1944
Place of death
Navy depot
Kiel-Ellerbeck, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 14 17

Immediate family

Members
Emil C. Wente (father)
Gertie (Wilkins) Wente (mother)
Wendell F. Wente (brother)
Dorothy Wente (sister)
Norma Wente (sister)
Donald Wente (brother)
Harold H. Kaiser (cousin)

Plane data

Serial number
42-37870
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Palma II
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the navy yard
MACR: 4950

More information

Sgt Emil G. Wente enlisted on 26 January 1943 at CP Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. He was sent overseas in March, 1944. He worked on a farm before he enlisted.

The plane got a direct hit from flak. Seven crew members were killed, three were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record,
www.ancestry.com - Iowa Birth and Christening Index, Iowa State Census Collection, www.fold3.com - MACR,
www.8thafhs.com, Iowa Birth Index

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Louis