Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
FOCHT, William James
Date of birth
3 October 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Grinnell, Powesheik County, Iowa
Hometown
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
17119136
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
836th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
30 September 1944
Place of death
Near Kentrup, 16 km northwest of Detmold, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
J 12 2

Immediate family

Members
Charles E. Focht (father)
Laura L. (Triplett) Focht (mother)
Richard C. Focht (brother)
Laura E. Focht (sister)
Charles E. Focht (half-brother)
Michael A. Focht (half-brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38154
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bielefeld, Germany
Mission: Bombing of marshaling yards
MACR: 9423

More information

S/Sgt William J. Focht enlisted in Des Moines, Iowa on 1 September 1942.

It is believed that heavy contrails and prop wash was the cause of aircraft 43-38037 going over on its back while in a sharp right turn and colliding with aircraft # 43-38154. Aircraft # 43-38037 lost the right wing and aircraft # 43-38154 lost the left wing. Both aircraft went into a spin and parts were observed flying off.

Source of information: FOHF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record,
www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Cindy, www.americanairmuseum.com