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name
GOETZ, John W - Date of
birth
23 July 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33668914 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
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
Martha L. Goetz (mother)
Cecillia R. (Wienekowski) Goetz (wife)
Lorraine A. Goetz (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97787 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 5173
More information
Sgt John W. Goetz was a mechanic. He enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.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, 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 303rd BomberGroup.com