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Personal info

Full name
WARWICK, Leroy Wilson
Date of birth
21 June 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Springdale, Hamilton County, Ohio
Hometown
Glendale, Hamilton County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
35805381
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Unit
570th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
14 February 1945
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Harvey C. Warwick (father)
Marie I. (Sharp) Warwick (mother)
Virginia E. Warwick (sister)
Maynard H. Warwick (brother)
Jean M. Warwick (sister)
Edna M. Warwick (sister)
Sydney R. Warwick (sister)
Georgia Warwick (sister)
Peggy J. Warwick (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8265
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Reluctant
Destination: Chemnitz, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 12351

More information

Sgt Leroy W. Warwick enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio on 26 June 1943. He went overseas in January. A graduate of Mount Healthy High School, he worked for the Bickford Machine tool Co. before entering the Air Forces.

Statement by Captain Kenneth J. Binder:
"A/C 265 left the 390-C Squadron formation on 14 February 1945 at 1145 hours, position (52˚32'N - 03˚36'E) with #2 engine burning due to mechanical reasons (suddenly exploded). The "prepare to bail out" signal was given and bail out bell rung at about 11.000 ft. when approximately 10 miles from enemy coast. Pilot took heading toward coast and Navigator started checking for French A/F. Pilot told Engineer to get out of cockpit and return to rear of ship with possibility of having given him impression to bail out immediately. Pilot told crew to hold jump until over land but believed Radio Operator, Engineer, Radar Operator, Ball Turret Gunner and Waist Gunner had already left ship. The A/C went into a slight dive to about 7.000 ft which put the fire out. During the dive the men listed as "Missing in Action": Radio Operator, Top Turret Gunner, Tail Gunner, Ball Turret Gunner and the Spot Jammer thus bailed out. Air/Sea rescue was notified of position of A/C by the pilot."

The A/C with 5 crewmembers still onboard then returned safely to base. The remaining crew, including Sgt Warwick, were Missing in Action.

Source of information: FOHF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Kevin Patrick Family Tree / 1920/1930/1940 Census, http://www.usaafdata.com - USAAF Personnel Records, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://aviation-safety.net, www.newspapers.com - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - patootie, Mount Healthy High School 1937