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Personal info

Full name
BROOKSTRA, William Arthur
Date of birth
14 February 1925
Age
20
Place of birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36874109
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 March 1945
Place of death
Near Bad Segeberg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 9 39

Immediate family

Members
William M. Bookstra (father)
Estelle (Buxton) Brookstra (mother)
Jean Brookstra (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38767
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 13570

More information

Sgt William A Brookstra was employed at Michigan Bell Telephone Co

The #2 engine was hit by shells from two German ME-262 jet fighters shortly after bombs away and immediately burst into flames. The oxygen and interphone systems were malfunctioning. The #2 engine was out and pieces of the nacelle fell off. The skin on the left horizontal stabilizer ripped off and ribs could be seen.

Five crew members were killed, three survived and were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 303rdBombGroup, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Gary Moncur