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name
CAST, Virgil Albert - Date of
birth
29 October 1915 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Ralls, Crosby County, Texas -
Hometown
Torrance County, New Mexico
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38014905 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
730th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 February 1944 - Place of
death
Diepholz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 10 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John T. Cast (father)
Florence F. (Adkins) Cast (mother)
Elzie L. Cast (brother)
Cecil C. Cast (brother)
Thema Cast (half-sister)
Cecil Cast (half-brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39961 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Bad Check
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 2537
More information
Sgt Virgil A. Cast attended the University of New Mexico for one semester in 1937Following statement made by 2nd Lt. Howard W. Seeney, 0-803062:
It is believed that this aircraft, flying at approximately 26,000 feet in the group formation overran, pulled up and collided with the lead plane B-17G 42-31318, Piloted by 2nd Lt. Milton Turner, O-800429. A B-17 was observed broken completely in two headed earthward. Although identification is uncertain, it is believed this was Lt. Tiska's plane 42-39961. No chutes were observed but there was an overcast at 20,000 feet.
His brother, Cpl Elzie L. Cast, was taken prisoner by the Japanese and died after the Bataan March at the Hoten POW Camp. He is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com, Adkins Metcalf Family Tree, 1940 Census / New Mexico WWII Records
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.emolachance.com