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Personal info

Full name
APLINGTON, William Louis "Bill"
Date of birth
11 May 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
La Salle, LaSalle County, Illinois
Hometown
La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36765437
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
565th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 March 1945
Place of death
Near Sevelen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
William J. Aplington (father)
Elizabeth A. (LaVanway) Aplington (mother)
Elizabeth A. Aplington (sister)
James B. Aplington (brother)
John P. Aplington (brother)
Thomas W. Aplington (brother)
Richard J. Aplington (brother)
Mary Aplington (sister)
Catherine L. Aplington (sister)
George R. Aplington (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-50779
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Wesel, Germany
Mission: Supply drop
MACR: 13581

More information

Capt John L. Hunter:
Aircraft 42-50779 was flying on my left wing when we entered the area of the dropping zone. There was some very dense smoke limiting visibility to about ½ mile. After making a turn to the right to attempt a second run, Lt Bloore’s aircraft disappeared in the smoke and was not seen again. At that time we were flying at 200 feet. He was last seen about ½ of a mile northeast of the town Wesel, Germany.

The pilot, 1st Lt. Robert V. Bloore, had to make a forced landing. The plane landed on an ammunition dump near Sevelen, Germany. People at the site managed to assist the crew, but not all including Bill could be rescued due to the flames.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / La Salle County Tree / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – John Dowdy, www.intheoldendays.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Misty / DM