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Personal info

Full name
MILWARD, Jack Irwin
Date of birth
29 October 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Webb City, Jasper County, Kansas
Hometown
Crawford County, Kansas

Military service

Service number
37538424
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
338th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 October 1944
Place of death
Roxel, near Münster, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 26 12

Immediate family

Members
James H. Milward Sr. (father)
Maida F. (Daniel) Milward (mother)
James H. Milward Jr. (brother)
Alice M. Milward (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-107022
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: In the Mood
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Combat
MACR: 9514

More information

A/C 022 was hit in the right wing by AA shell starting a fire immediately after bombs away. Three chutes were seen to leave A/C after catching fire, and landing in target area. Ship seemed to be under control going down. Returning crews opinions are that the entire crew of stricken a/c had plenty of time and opportunity to escape from it. 96B was originally scheduled to fly as high group in 45A Combat Wing, but it assumed the lead at the coast in to the target.

S/Sgt Jack A. Miller, T/Sgt Thomas J. Grissom Jr. and S/Sgt Jack I. Milward didn’t survive and were buried, together with an unidentified soldier at Fefangen, cemetery Haus Spital B. at Münster, Grave no. 24/28 on 6 October 1944.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.ancestry.com – 1920/1940 US Census / Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten