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Personal info

Full name
NEELY, Windell Deering
Date of birth
22 May 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Hood County, Texas
Hometown
Tolar, Hood County, Texas

Military service

Service number
O-731407
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 June 1943
Place of death
Coordinates: 54°10 north, 05°40 east
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Henry C. Neely (father)
Maggie M. (Deering) Neely (mother)
Henry C. Neely II (brother)
Fay M. Neely (sister)
James H. Neely (brother)
Mildred L. Neely (sister)
Othel M. Neely (brother)
Garnett W. Neely (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29693
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Lonesome Polecat
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat submarine yard
MACR: 2807

More information

On the route back over the North Sea, approximately 25 miles out off the coast of Germany, and under enemy fighter attack, the plane left formation and was seen to spin down, out of control, exploding on hitting the water and sinking immediately. Two to four parachutes were reported as seen leaving the plane, but eventually, all of the crew members were reported missing in action.

Six crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten: Richard C. Miller, John J. Vail, Windell D. Neely, John F. Davoren, Stanley D. Bennett, and George E. Babich.

Four crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge: Malcolm B. MacKinnon, Eugene W. Wood, Richard M. Cavanaugh, and Alexander A. Mareck.

He is remembered at Tolar Cemetery, Tolar, Hood County, Texas.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com - Paula J, www.ancestry.com - MS James family tree / 1930 Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Fred Munckhof, Jim Hersom, Ken Jones