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name
WENGER, John L - Date of
birth
25 February 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-686706 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
614th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 February 1944 - Place of
death
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert Wenger (father)
Margaret M. Wenger (mother)
Margaret M. Wenger (sister)
Hellen Wenger (sister)
Albert Wenger (brother)
Robert Wenger (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31036 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Nobody's Baby
Destination: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the railroad yards
MACR: 2285
More information
2nd Lt John L. Wenger was a clerk.He joined the National Guard in Chicago, Illinois, on 5 March 1941.
The aircraft was apparently hit by flak and was straggling some 4,000 feet lower than the formation (about 18,000 feet). All four engines were turning over, and the aircraft seemed to be under control. Flak was bursting around it when it was last seen.
The entire crew of 10 men was killed. Eight of them are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten; two, Frank J. Zitkovic and Bascom O. Clifton, are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge Cemetery.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR 2285
Photo source: Henk Bouwels, Andrea, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 43-10, Childress Army Air Field, Texas