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name
WOODALL, Alva Mcleon - Date of
birth
9 August 1918 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Omega, Tift County, Georgia -
Hometown
Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14083140 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
551st Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 December 1943 - Place of
death
Oldehove, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 8 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Walter B. Woodall (father)
Luna E. (Spinks) Woodall (mother)
Blanche Woodall (sister)
Wilbert O. Woodall (brother)
Ruth M. Woodall (sister)
Willis A. Woodall (brother)
Edyelene R. Woodall (sister)
Doris E. Woodall (sister)
Walter B. Woodall (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30816 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Mary Ellen III
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the docks and industrial area
MACR: 1664
More information
S/Sgt Alva M. Woodall was a salesman.He volunteered for the Army of the United States on 2 September 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida.
The aircraft had been under fighter attack for sometime when fire broke out in the #2 engine, spreading onto the wing, when the order was given to bail out. The aircraft, which had been flying over water, was directed over land before bail out was given.
Eight crew members survived and were taken prisoner, and two men were killed.
S/Sgt Woodall landed his parachute in the Reitdiep River and drowned. The co-pilot, Lt John R. Ward, stated after the war that he couldn't swim and was scared of water. He was initially buried at the cemetery of Oldehove on 16 December 1943.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Sporen aan de hemel deel II door Ab Jansen,
Mighty Eight in Colour by Roger Freeman, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1920-1930 Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Mighty Eight in Colour