Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
SHEBECK, Daniel A - Date of
birth
1919 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Pennsylvania -
Hometown
California, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-670633 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 August 1943 - Place of
death
Raamsdonksveer, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 11 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Andrew J. Shebeck (father)
Gertrude E. (Kavele) Shebeck (mother)
Mary Shebeck (sister)
Gertrude L. Shebeck (sister)
Martha W. Shebeck (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3192 -
Data
Type B-17F
Nickname: G for George
Destination: Gilze Rijen, The Netherlands
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 284
More information
1st Lt Daniel A. Shebeck graduated from East Pike Run High School and worked at the supply department of the Vesta Coal Company in Richeyville, Pennsylvania.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 14 April 1941 and was s ent overseas in July 1943.
The mission was to bomb the airfield of Gilze-Rijen with 38 B-17's from different bomber groups. Due to mist and the reflection of the sun, a first attempt to localise the target failed. The majority of the airplanes return to their home base but the 303rd Bomber Group turns and tries a second time, but now this group is behind the main formation without the much needed fighter protection. At that moment the group is attacked by a large group of FW-190's who shoot down several bombers.
This B-17 was shot down by enemy fighters halfway the target and the enemy coast between Oosterhout and Raamsdonkveer, Holland. A wing caught fire and the plane exploded. Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four were killed.
The wreckage of the airplane was found in 1983.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - The Charleroi Mail 31 August 1943 / 1940 Census, www.newspapers.com - The Pittsburgh Press
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.303rdBomberGroup.com