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name
CAMPBELL, William D - Date of
birth
9 January 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
New York -
Hometown
The Bronx, Bronx County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-754885 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
352nd Bombardment Squadron,
301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 July 1944 - Place of
death
Wiener Neudorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 20 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
David A. Campbell (father)
Ruth (Meehan) Campbell (mother)
James D. Campbell (brother)
Patrick J. Campbell (brother)
Alice M. Campbell (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102929 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Wiener Neudorf, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 7143
Biography
www.facesbeyondthegraves.comMore information
William Campbell was employed by the Vick Chemical Co.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Niagara Falls, New York on 16 October 1942.
The airplane was flying straight and level when airplane 42-30385, which had his right wing on fire due to enemy aircraft attacks, hit it in the side with its left wing. Airplane 42-102929 exploded in mid-air.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed.
1st Lt Campbell was buried at a civilian cemetery in Puchberg, Austria. The cemetery and grave side had a marker that said: "Hier ruhe funf Amerikanische flieger" (five American pilots are resting here). In January 1949 his remains were moved to Ardennes Cemetery and he was identified by dental records, hair remains, height, shoe size, age and collar insignia.
Lt Campbell was given his final resting place in June 1949.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, http://www.301bg.com www.facesbeyondthegraves.com, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree
Photo source: Jac Engels, Newspaper article - courtesy of Andrea Ritchey Hunting