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name
WHEELER, Dwight Charles - Date of
birth
28 April 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas -
Hometown
Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37515432 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
20th Bombardment Squadron,
2nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Friedenau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | 24 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Merton E. Wheeler (father)
Esta C. Wheeler (mother)
Evelyn L. Wheeler (sister)
Wayne B. Wheeler (brother)
Gerald M. Wheeler (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-38213 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Blechhammer, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 6519
More information
S/Sgt Dwight C. Wheeler graduated from Winfield High School in 1942. He was employed at Meadowgold Creamery.Statement from 1st Lt James E. Wagner:
"At 1053 hours, from an altitude of 23,000 feet, at approximately 50-18N, 18-16E, B-17 No. 213 was hit by flak and the whole nose section was blown off. The aircraft then went straight down. I observed no chutes."
Statement from 2nd Lt Thomas H. Hancock:
"I first saw B-17 No. 213 at 1055 hours from 24,000 feet. It was hit by flak in bomb bay and the nose began falling apart into several pieces. Aircraft was not on fire when it dropped straight down. Either the controls were shot out or both pilot and co-pilot were killed. I saw no chutes. This was at approximately 50 deg 18 min North 18 deg 16 min East."
The entire crew of ten was killed.
S/Sgt Wheeler is remembered at Towanda Cemetery in Towanda, Butler County, Kansas with a memorial marker.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR,
www.2ndbombgroup.org
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Winfield High School 1940/1942, www.findagrave.com