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name
WILLIAMS, Robert Paul - Date of
birth
25 August 1909 -
Age
35 - Place of
birth
Corona, Walker County, Alabama -
Hometown
Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34801536 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
574th Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 January 1945 - Place of
death
Near Euskirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 11 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Bloomer C. Williams (father)
Nona A. (Wells) Williams (mother)
Howard B. Williams (brother)
Harry W. Williams (brother)
Clifford Williams (brother)
Ralph Williams (brother)
Sarah E. Williams (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-67914 -
Data
Type: B-26G
Destination: Euskirchen, Germany
Mission: Bombing Euskirchen River bridge
MACR: 12203
More information
Sgt Robert P. Williams enlisted in Fort McClellan, Alabama on 1 April 1943.Statement from Charles M. Grimes, Cpl. AAF, 17151951
"I was flying as waist gunner in the slot position, high flights of the secound box. Lt Warrington was flying No 5 of the same flight. I saw the aircraft a few seconds aftre it was hit by flak. It was just after turning off the second bomb run; his bom bay doors were closed, and I saw a gaping hole about the size of a turret in the forward bomb bay. Flames were pouring out and he seemed to have the aircraft under control. He flew along side of us for about five seconds and then his nose dropped down and he veered under us to the left. I lost sight of him momentarily and we made a turn to the right, I saw him again a few seconds later out of my left waist window. He looked to be about 3 to 4,000 feet and he was spiraling towards the ground. There were pieces of the airplane flying off in space; smoking and burning. We made a turn to the right and it was then that I saw him out of the right waist window. He had already hit the ground and the aircraft was burning, He landed in an open field approximately 3 to 4 miles between two little villages oast of Euskircken. I saw no chutes."
Source of information: André Koch, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1920 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Hollis Williams Craft