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name
IDLET, Phillip D - Date of
birth
1922 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Ohio -
Hometown
St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17015167 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Belly Gunner -
Unit
506th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
4 October 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
John T. Idlet (father)
Nora M. Idlet (mother)
Cleota C. Idlet (sister)
Ray F. Idlet (brother)
John T. Idlet, Jr (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-40989 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Holiday Mess
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
MACR: 940
More information
Sgt Phillip D. Idlet enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 26 September 1940. He was sent overseas in September 1943.Diversions were usually considered “milk runs”, but this turned out to be anything but that when this formation succeeded in attracting 30 to 50 single-engine enemy aircraft. These “yellow noses” attacked and one of these bandits slashed through the formation. It was hit by the B-24 gunners, which knocked off its wing, and it lost control and slammed into the aircraft piloted by Lt F. V. Johnston. The collision sent both planes down into the sea. There were no survivors from this 506th Squadron crew.
He is remembered at the Mount Olive Cemetery in Troy, Doniphan County, Kansas.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com 1940 census, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Hudson Louie / Raymond Riley