Memorial

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S/Sgt Lawrence Wilhelm enlisted on 25 February 1943 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

Statement of James R. Boatright: "We were struck on a course of approximately 180 degrees about 1.5 minutes from our primary target at Ludwigshafen, Germany. The aircraft was severed between station five and six just aft of the Sperry ball turret. At this time, all crew members were at the battle stations. Myself, the tail gunner, and one waist gunner were able to parachute from the freely spinning tail section of the aircraft. The other portion of the craft crashed out of control after both pilot and co-pilot made good their escape. I witnessed the burning of the craft while falling on my parachute, but was taken prisoner immediately upon reaching the ground. As a prisoner, I was unable to check on the fate of the rest of my crew, but as no trace of them has been found, I naturally assumed them dead. As near as I can determine, the crash occurred directly north of Ludwigshafen, between Worms and Oppenheim."

Six of the crew members died, four survived, and were taken prisoner of war.