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name
MERKLE, Christian William Jr - Date of
birth
16 March 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
New York City, New York -
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32012959 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Westerode, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Christian W. Merkle (father)
Josephine Merkle (mother)
John Merkle (brother)
Ferdinand Merkle (brother)
Maria A. (Ten Hove) Merkle (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50374 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Polyana
Destination: Halle, Germany
MACR: 7364
More information
S/Sgt Christian W. Merkle, Jr enlisted in 1941. He was sent overseas in May 1944.Aircraft 42-50374 was attacked by enemy aircraft. After being hit, the aircraft turned off to the left with the no3 engine on fire and started to spin. 10 Chutes came out.
He bailed out and was killed, probably by Gestapo.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.gom, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com