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Submit- Full
name
WAIS, William Raymond - Date of
birth
12 December 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-771846 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
Wesel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 21 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William E. Wais (father)
Marie Wais (mother)
Mary Wais (sister)
George Wais (brother)
Thomas Wais (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50749 -
Data
Type: B-24 J
Mission: Aerial Combat
Macr: 13615
More information
2nd Lt William R. Wais graduated from Aquinas High School in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, in 1941. He attended the University of Minnesota.He volunteered for the Army Air Corps on 25 November 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was sent overseas on 16 July 1944.
Information received at interrogation from 2nd Lt Howard S. Kohl: Aircraft 749 had number 3 engine on fire, feathered number 4 engine, and then feathered number 3. Aircraft exploded when it hit the ground at 1233 hours at approximately 5144N-0640E.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, NARA, MACR, 1940 US Census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: St Thomas Aquinas High School yearbook 1941, Arthur Allen Moore III, www.findagrave.com