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Personal info

Full name
CHILDERS, Jack Wilson
Date of birth
4 December 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Sapulpa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Hometown
Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
38464704
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
367th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 May 1944
Place of death
Darp, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
l 18 13

Immediate family

Members
Albert W. Childers (father)
Hattie F. (Churchman) Childers (mother)
Garland C. Childers (brother)
Geneva F. Childers (sister)
Nancy A. Childers (sister)
Clifford W. Childers (brother)
Harry C. Childers (brother)
Sarah E. Childers (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97259
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Our Baby
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4554

More information

Due to engine trouble, the pilot tried to make an emergency landing at the German airfield at Havelte, but three three flak guns around the airfield ignored the SOS signal (wheels down) of the plane and did fire at the B-17 not allowing it to land safely. As a result it crashed. Immediately the entire airplane was on fire. The entire crew of ten men was killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com, www.fold3.com, Teunis Schuurman - http://teunispats.nl/t3655.htm, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Trees

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Michael Beach, Teunis Schuurman - http://teunispats.nl/t3655.htm