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name
MC WILLIAMS, Elmer Doyle - Date of
birth
17 December 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
McQueen, Harmon County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39725831 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 March 1945 - Place of
death
Westerade, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 27 | 19 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry P. Mc Williams (father)
May A. Mc Williams (mother)
Eugene Mc Williams (brother)
Glen Mc Williams (brother)
Carroll Mc Williams (brother)
Aubrey Mc Williams (brother)
Linda M. Mc Williams (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-39160 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Blohm & Voss U-boat shipyards or the port
MACR: 13569
More information
Sgt Elmer D. Mc Williams graduated from James Garfield High School in 1938. He was a welder.He joined the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California on 21 March 1944.
When the formation just turned off the target, the airplane was attacked by Me262's on the tail. On the first pass the vertical stabilizer was shot off. On the second pass the #3 engine was hit an de right wing caught fire, whereupon the pilot gave the order to bail out. The airplane went into a spin and then straightened enough so the majority of the crew members could bail out. Then it exploded in the air.
Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, three were killed.
According to surviving crew members, Sgt Mc Williams must have passed out from lack of oxygen.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: 303rdBomberGroup.com, James Garfield High School, 1938