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name
MATZ, Harold David - Date of
birth
8 October 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Redfield, Dallas County, Iowa -
Hometown
Redfield, Dallas County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17151491 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 January 1945 - Place of
death
Lith-Oss, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 22 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Phillip Matz (father)
Lena M. (Gamber)Matz (mother)
Deforest P. Matz (brother)
Ina R. Matz (sister)
Helen Matz (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6589 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Bachelor's Belle
Destination: Hohenbudburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 16248
More information
Cpl Harold D. Matz enlisted in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 2 February 1943 and was sent overseas on 15 December 1944.Just after 12:00 the airplane was hit by flak and started to spin out of control. The pilot, Eugene E. Dasso, managed to level the plane and two parachutes were seen leaving the plane. After a second parachute was seen the plane started again to spin out of control and crashed.
Since there were only nine crew members on board and eight were found dead in the wreckage, the fact that someone saw a second parachute must be wrong. Only one crew member was found alive.
Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, 1920/1930/1940 Census / WWII Bonus Case File, The Des Moines Register (Des Moines, Iowa)
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, FLH, Harry W. Franssen, The Des Moines Register (Des Moines, Iowa)