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name
COLYER, Dick Milton "Richard" - Date of
birth
16 February 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Edwards County, Illinois -
Hometown
Albion, Edwards County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-723013 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
848th Bombardment Squadron,
490th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 November 1944 - Place of
death
Loitzingstrasse 2
Mannheim, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 22 | 57 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gilbert W. Colyer (father)
Edna S. (Bond) Colyer (mother)
Mary L. Colyer (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-37884 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Penns Belle
Destination: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 10325
More information
2nd Lt Dick M. Colyer attended college before he joined the Air Corps of the United States Army Reserve in Peoria, Illinois on 7 November 1942.2nd Lt Burton W. Ripnick:
One half of ship from lead struck just back of ball turret on Lt Bridwell’s ship which pulled out of formation to right in sharp dive. One chute only seen to open immediately.
S/Sgt Paul S. Finot:
I believe he was killed when other plane hit us. The other B-17 hit us at the radio room and slid forward.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Schuh Gentz Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – MAJ Jimmy Cotton
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Denise Kellam, www.ancestry.com – U.S. School Yearbooks