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name
TRLICA, George Henry - Date of
birth
27 May 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Douglas County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17004299 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
547th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 October 1944 - Place of
death
Urfeld, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 18 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Trlica (father)
Anna Trlica (mother)
John J. Trlica (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6149 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Hot After It
Destination: Wesseling, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkohle-Kraftstoffe A.G. - Industry - synthetic oil plant
MACR: 9478
More information
T/Sgt George H. Trlica graduated from South High School.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Fort Crook, Nebraska on 7 August 1940.
The airplane was lost due to a direct flak hit in the bomb bay. The plane burned fast and fell apart, losing its wings first, then the empennage, then the fuselage broke at the ball turret, directly behind the pilot's seats, and between the top turret.
It is believed that T/Sgt Trlica was killed instantly by the flak burst.
Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner; four were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.384thbombgroup.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, Nebraska Birth Index
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Tx Oma, Omaha World Herald - 6 November 1944