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name
MC ALLISTER, William - Date of
birth
13 March 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana -
Hometown
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35563413 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
561st Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 February 1944 - Place of
death
Krimpenfort, 6 km south of Vechta, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 18 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George W. Mc Allister (father)
Margaret F. (Sullivan) Mc Allister (mother)
Katherine Mc Allister (sister)
Elizabeth Mc Allister (sister)
George W. Mc Allister (brother)
John A. Mc Allister (brother)
Margaret Mc Allister (sister)
James F. Mc Allister (brother)
Thomas J. Mc Allister (brother)
Helen M. Mc Allister (sister)
Josephine Mc Allister (sister)
Robert M. Mc Allister (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39804 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Bad Penny
Target: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 2346
More information
T/Sgt William Mc Allister graduated from Shortridge High School in 1940. He was employed at the Allison Division of General Motors.The aircraft was reported by his squadron leader to have feathered his #3 engine about a minute before bombs away, at the same time falling behind the formation and losing altitude. Several enemy fighters jumped the airplane and on the seventh pass it was shot down. It went into a dive and when last seen just before going into the clouds the left wing was coming off.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven were killed. They were initially buried at the Russian POW cemetery of Vechta.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1930 US Census / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Indianapolis Star - 22 April 1944, Shortridge High School 1940