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name
HEDSTROM, Walter Harold - Date of
birth
19 July 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Negaunee, Marquette County, Michigan -
Hometown
Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-719643 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
496th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 March 1945 - Place of
death
Comeilles-en-Vexin, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 | 55 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Julius A. Hedstrom (father)
Bernadette E. (Gouyette) Hedstrom (mother)
Eva Hedstrom (sister)
Julius Hedstrom (brother)
George W. Hedstrom (brother)
Pauline Hedstrom (sister)
Dorothy M. (Williams) Hedstrom (wife)
Marcia Hedstrom (daughter)
Tony Hedstrom (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95974 -
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: Silver Streaks
Destination: Neuenheerse, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil depot
MACR: Not available
More information
2nd Lt Walter H. Hedstrom graduated from Rock Island High School and attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio and was employed by Peerless dairy.He joined the Regular Army in Peoria, Illinois, on 3 October 1942. He received his wings at Ellington Field, Texas in April 1944.
On March 28th 1945 two B-26 Marauders 42-95974 N3-S, Pilot 2nd Lt Walter H. Hedstrom and 42-95861, Pilot 2nd Lt Arthur M. Williamson, were involved in a mid-air collision over Cormeilles-en-Vexin (A-59) in France, the 344th BG base at that time.
Lt Hedstrom is remembered at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Solers, France.
His picture was taken in high school in 1936.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com – Emily Bush, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/344th-macr/
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Emily Bush, Rock Island High School yearbook 1936