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Personal info

Full name
WILLIAMS, Robert Paul
Date of birth
25 August 1909
Age
35
Place of birth
Corona, Walker County, Alabama
Hometown
Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

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