Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
MERKLE, Milton Joseph
Date of birth
4 August 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Baltimore, Maryland
Hometown
Pasadena, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Military service

Service number
O-758034
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
429th Fighter Squadron,
474th Fighter Group
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 May 1944
Place of death
1 Km south of Marienbourg, near Rocroi, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 29 7

Immediate family

Members
Milton B. Merkle (father)
Mabel G. (Grogan) Merkle (mother)
Mable G. Merkle (sister)
Virginia A. (Schulz) Merkle (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-67504
Data
Type: P-38J-10
Destination: Meziere, France
Mission: Close Escort
MACR: 4480

More information

2nd Lt Milton J. Merkle enlisted in Baltimore, Maryland on 11 November 1942.

Statement from 2nd Lt Frank Reitz Jr.:
“Lt. Merkle’s plane was seen to be on fire during attack by FW 190s at 10,000 feet over Rocroi, France, at 1007, 7 May 1944. I believe that he got out of the ship, but due to the activity and clouds it was impossible to observe opening of parachute.”

Lt Merkle was initially buried at the Memorial Cemetery of Florennes-Insain on 10 May 1944

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.ancestry.com – Headstone and Interment Record / Social Security Death Index, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-J, Williams Field, Arizona