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Personal info

Full name
PIEL, Derrell Clifford
Date of birth
11 October 1913
Age
29
Place of birth
Nebraska
Hometown
Blaine County, Nebraska

Military service

Service number
37071132
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 October 1943
Place of death
Bremershaven, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
P 9 14

Immediate family

Members
Ralph R. Piel (father)
Anna D.A. (Witte) Diel (mother)
William T. Piel (brother)
Ruby F. Piel (sister)
Robert A. Piel (brother)
Earl C. Piel (brother)
Margaret A. Piel (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-5864
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Piccadilly Lily
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 948

More information

Soon after bomb release the Piccadilly Lily was hit by flak near the navigators station and N° 3 engine causing fire. Witnesses indicate the Lily entered a near vertical nose down attitude and exploded with only four parachutes observed.

Six crew members were killed, five were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Bruce McClelland, www.100thbg.com, National WWII Memorial, Footnote, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Trees, www.8thafhs.com, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.100thbg.com