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name
HEDRICK, Hilary Hann - Date of
birth
15 February 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Roanoke, Virginia -
Hometown
Roanoke, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-703993 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
545th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 October 1944 - Place of
death
Near Dorsten, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 15 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
A. G. Hedrick (father)
Anna B. (Hann) Hedrick (mother)
Arthur B. Hedrick, jr (brother)
Geraldine Hedrick (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38579 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Cologne, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Ford Motor factory
MACR: 9754
More information
Hilary Hedrick was an accountant before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Nashville, Tennessee.The airplane was hit by flak. It started to smoke, exploded into flames and went into a whirling steep dive.
Five crew members were taken prisoner, four men were killed.
Lt Hedrick was initially buried at the cemetery of Holsterhausen, Germany.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, 384thBombGroup.com, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com