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Personal info

Full name
SELSER, Joseph Knight
Date of birth
28 February 1911
Age
34
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33623178
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
564th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
9 March 1945
Place of death
Greven, north of Münster, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
N 17 11

Immediate family

Members
Harold M. Selser (father)
Martha (Knight) Selser (mother)
Harold M. Selser (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-49382
Data
Type: B-24L
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 12959

More information

Aircraft 44-49382 was leading the low left squadron. It suffered a direct flak hit when it was about 30 seconds over the target. An eyewitness report stated the aircraft banked, made two turns, and then nosed over. The wings blew off, and the ship burst into flames. The tail gunner and Mickey operator survived and were taken prisoner. The other 10 crew members were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmansn, Peter Schouteten, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1920 Census, www.fold3.com - WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com