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name
WILDER, Henry C - Date of
birth
21 March 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Letcher County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35432378 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Gunner -
Unit
565th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Spieka-Neufeld, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 8 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry E. Wilder (father)
Sarah E. (Johnson) Wilder (mother)
Marion C. Wilder (brother)
Ralph E. Wilder (brother)
Mary H. Wilder (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-63958 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Lucky Tiger
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 2444
More information
After bombing the target first fell out of formation with one knocked out. It was pursued by fighters and observed being attacked by JU-88s as the formation left the coast. The plane spiraled off to the right with flames in the cockpit. Two parachutes emerged from the plane.Bodies were recovered on October 12 from tidal lands at Spieka-Neufeld by a detail from the Sea Airbase at Wesermünde. Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com Zears, Brandon Family Tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, 389thBombGroup, www.findagrave.com MikeF