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name
MC CRAY, William W - Date of
birth
23 October 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Kern County, California -
Hometown
Burbank, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19079463 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
327th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
8 October 1945 - Place of
death
Near Emmerich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Wallace P. Mc Cray (father)
Gladys I. (Presson) Mc Cray (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38434 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname:
Destination: Zwickau, Germany
Mission: Bombing targets of opportunity, airfield and motor vehicle factory
MACR: 9345
More information
S/Sgt William W. Mc Cray enlisted in Los Angeles, California, on 15 April 1942.The incident took place on 7 October 1944.
Three fortresses were observed in distress. (A) A B-17 was seen in a spin at 13,000 feet altitude, at 5129N-1353E. Three chutes were seen. The A/C was out of control. (B) A B-17 was observed under control but out of formation at 5235N-0435E at 18,000 feet. No apparent damage could be seen by observing the A/C. (C) A B-17 suspected to be that of Lt Kerr in A/C 434, MIA today, was seen north of Dresden at 23,000 feet, heading 270 degrees. The number three engine was smoking and had been feathered. Number two engine was feathered. He was heard calling for fighter protection and called out over VHF that he was headed for Brussels.
The plane crashed in the Rhine River near Emmerich, Germany, and the Dutch border. Five crew members were killed, and five were taken prisoner.
S/Sgt Mc Cray was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.
Source of information: André Koch, Herman Wolters, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - Macr 9345, California Birth Index 1905-1995, 1940 Census
Photo source: André Koch, Herman Wolters