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name
MENK, William Lewis - Date of
birth
3 August 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
T-128771 -
Rank
Flight Officer -
Function
Navigator/Bombardier -
Unit
760th Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 December 1944 - Place of
death
Thal, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 9 | 29 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William F. Menk (father)
Margaret M. (Keyser) Menk (mother)
Mary J. Menk (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40514 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Mexicali Rose
Destination: Graz, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the railroad yards
MACR: 10925
More information
F/O William L. Menk enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 17 March 1943.According to co-pilot 2nd Lt Leonard I. Lee, who survived the mission, the airplane was hit by flak in the nose section.
This occured just after releasing the bombs. The airplane lost altitude very quickly. Suddenly it went into a slow spiral and continued going down and finally going into a tight spin.
Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four men were killed. Their remains were found in the wreckage. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Thal, Austria.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com – Mary Jane Ellis, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, Veteran Compensation Application File, 1930 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.wwiimemorial.com – Mary Jane Ellis