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name
LORBACH, Phillip Joseph - Date of
birth
19 March 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Cuyahoga County, Ohio -
Hometown
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15354147 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
332nd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 March 1944 - Place of
death
5 km northeast of Else, 24km north of Hannover, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 21 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Peter Lorbach (father)
Eva (Weber) Lorbach (mother)
Rose Lorbach (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31141 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the ball bearing industry
MACR: 2976
More information
S/Sgt Phillip J. Lorbach enlisted at Camp Perry Lacarne, Ohio on 1 December 1942."One prop feathered before target, bombed and began to lose altitude and speed. Lagged behind. Was attacked by enemy aircraft North of Braunschweig when either #3 or #4 engine was set on fire. Four or five chutes were seen in Quackenbruck area at 15,000 feet at 1515 hours. Fire was extinghuised and aircraft hit the deck and continued out as P38's came in to cover him to Zuider Zee where P47's picked him up. Last seen at mid channel on course."
S/Sgt Phillip J. Lorbach didn't bail out. He was killed during the fighter attack and was last seen in the waist of the plane with a 20mm hole through his chest.
Source of information: FOHF, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1940 Census / Ohio Birth Index, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten