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name
PLANKEL, Henry William - Date of
birth
10 January 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16056942 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
759th Bombardment Squadron,
459th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Arles, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 23 | 38 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry C. Plankel (father)
Mary J. (Haertl) Plankel (mother)
Olive C. Plankel (sister)
Selma M. Plankel (sister)
Arthur H. Plankel (brother)
Leo A. Plankel (brother)
Helen D. Plankel (sister)
Aaron A. Plankel (brother)
Hildegarde Plankel (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50870 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Les Chanoines, France
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 9833
More information
Sgt Henry W. Plankel graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1939 and was a shoemaker before he joined the Army in Madison, Wisconsin on 25 July 1942.Sgt Ira Mayfield:
On 24 July 44 while on a combat mission to Les Chanoises, France Lt. Jerman who was flying B-24J, 42-50870, was attacked by enemy fighters. It looked like he was hit on the right wing between number three and four engine. Number four engine caught on fire. The plane peeled off and left the formation. As it went into a glide toward the water, six parachutes left the airplane. The plane hit the water and exploded. I believe that the aileron controls were shot out.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy, Beaver Dam High School, 1938