Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
ZIMMER, Erwin C - Date of
birth
31 December 1913 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Milwaukee City, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Wright, Ottawa County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36159128 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
24 May 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, off the coast of Tönnig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Nicholas J. Zimmer (father)
Eva J. (Grimm) Zimmer (mother)
Harold Zimmer (brother)
Roman G. Zimmer (brother)
George E. Zimmer (brother)
Nicholas Zimmer (brother)
Donald C. Zimmer (brother)
Clarence E. Zimmer (brother)
Lorraine A. Zimmer (sister)
Adelbert J. Zimmer (brother)
Raymond T. Zimmer (brother)
Lillian C. Zimmer (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97787 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 5173
More information
S/Sgt Erwin C. Zimmer worked on a farm. He enlisted in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 24 July 1941.Just before making a 120° turn to avoid Heligoland and enter the enemy coast, the airplane was observed to be on fire after being attacked by enemy fighters. A tail gunner of another plane saw eight men bail out.
Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner, nine were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - 1910/1920/1940 Census / WWII Enlistment Records / U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 / Baum Family Tree / 1930 census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com