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name
WILLUMSEN, Merle Roger - Date of
birth
19 October 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Wishkah, Grays Harbor County, Washington -
Hometown
Pierce County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39202293 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
333rd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 February 1944 - Place of
death
Near Osnabruck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 10 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Lars Willumsen (father)
Cleopatra (Achey) Johnson (mother)
Wilfred H. Willumsen (brother)
Frances M. Willumsen (brother)
Louise E. Willumsen (sister)
Cleo H. Willumsen (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31838 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Sack Time Charlie
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 2370
More information
Sgt Merle R. Willumsen attended Weatherwax High School.He enlisted in Tacoma, Washington on 25 February 1943.
There was a direct hit on the ball turret position and Sgt Willumsen was seen falling out the turret without a chute, this was seen by crewmembers from another ship.
Left wing set on fire by German fighters - Engines No. 1 and 2 disabled - plane losing altitude as crew bailed out. It was later thought that plane blew up before reaching ground.
Source of information: André Koch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees, www.8thafhs.org
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.ancestry.com - Aberdeen/Weatherwax High School Yearbook 1942