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name
ROCHEFORT, William H - Date of
birth
19 May 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Michigan -
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
T-131618 -
Rank
Flight Officer -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
574th Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 February 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Rhens, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 10 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Hamilton F. Rochefort (father)
Mary A. Rochefort (mother)
Francis J. Rochefort (brother)
Robert H. Rochefort (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-107720 -
Data
Type: B-26C
Destination: Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
MACR: 12222
More information
Statement from James McNamara, 2nd Lt, Air Corps: "I was flying as bombardier, #4 position, second flight, second box, on a mission to Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. We began to receive sederate accurate flak in the vicinity of Boppard, Germany, and at this point I saw the right wing of aircraft 107720, Lt Martin's aircraft, receive a direct hit at the engine smells, and the wing and engine were blown off. The plane then flipped over on the back and began to spin earthwart. I last saw the plane at about 10,000 feet when it went into a mass of clouds. I observed no chutes coming from the plane."The entire crew of six was killed. They were initially buried at the site of the crash.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, André Koch, Dave Morris, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / Rochefort Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Dave Morris