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name
WILLSON, Louis Hamilton - Date of
birth
31 August 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Ames, Story County, Iowa -
Hometown
Ames, Story County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-772101 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
360th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Hornburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| P | 2 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Louis H. Willson (father)
Ruth B. (Hamilton) Willson (mother)
Marjoria Willson (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38572 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 9409
More information
Louis Willson attended Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 December 1942.
The formation was victim to severe attacks from enemy fights. The aircraft's right wing was on fire but it apparently was still under control. The entire crew of nine was killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Schladen.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Iowa Birth Index
Photo source: 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - Ames High School Yearbook 1942, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 44-04, Victorville AAF, California.