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Personal info

Full name
WILLIAMS, Robert E
Date of birth
1925
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Indiana
Hometown
Madison County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
35092504
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
729th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
12 May 1944
Place of death
Wicker, near Frankfurt, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 39 8

Immediate family

Members
Hugh C. Williams (father)
Lena H. Williams (mother)
Hugh C. Williams Jr. (brother)
Joyce A. Williams (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97143
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: You´ve Had It
Destination: Brux, Czechoslovakia
Mission: Bombing of oil production facilities
MACR: 4776

More information

S/Sgt Robert E. Williams worked in a store before he enlisted on 12 february 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Following statement made by S/Sgt Alvin G. Russell, 13157963.
The formation was attacked by FW 190's and some ME 109's. Aircraft B-17G, 42-97235 was hit by 20 mm canon and the plane blew up. The right wing flew over and hit aircraft 42-97143 which then blew up. Three chutes were observed. The fuselage itself remained fairly intact and when last observed was on the way down. The formation was at approximately 23,500 feet when this occured.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record
www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.org, Madison County Historical Society Suzy Chambers Emilie Isenhour, Anderson Daily Bulletin - 12 December 1944, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Madison County Historical Society Anderson Daily Bulletin - 12 December 1944.