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name
GRIFFITH, William Arnold - Date of
birth
20 July 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Wells County, Indiana -
Hometown
Wells County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35584844 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
728th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1944 - Place of
death
Varenesch near Goldenstedt, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 15 | 6 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Clarence G. Griffith (father)
Clara M. (Arnold) Griffith (mother)
Samuel B. Griffith (brother)
Erma A. Griffith (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31371 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Hairless Joe
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 3342
More information
S/Sgt William A. Griffith attended Montpelier High School.The formation was attacked by between thirty and forty fighters including ME 109s and FW 190s. One of the gunners of aircraft 42-31371 hit an FW 190 which exploded just off the left wing. The left wing of aircraft 42-31371 was torn off and the plane exploded.
S/Sgt Griffith was buried on 25 March 1944 in the Prisoner – respectively Russian - Graveyard in Vechta/Oldenburg.
The picture was taken in high school in 1939.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com – U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / Family Trees, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.americanairmuseum.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Montpelier High School 1939