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Submit- Full
name
ANDERSON, Walter J - Date of
birth
17 March 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
California -
Hometown
Fresno, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19062737 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
532nd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 July 1943 - Place of
death
Voorst, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 1 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Mike Anderson (father)
Annie Anderson (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3100 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Kassel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of Fieseler aircraft factory and marshalling yards
MACR: 129
More information
Walter Anderson was a carpenter.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Fresno, California on 12 January 1942.
After the bomb run, #4 engine was hit by flak and later the fuel tank of #2 engine was blown away. The pilot let the plane drop from the formation near the town of Münster and suddenly they were attacked by German fighters who wanted to finish the job. Because of battle damage and the oxygen system was hit, the airplane was dived into a cloud for protection.
The gunners shot down at least two fighters before the crew started to bail out.
Sgt Anderson hit the tail when he bailed out and was later found in the village of Voorst, the Netherlands. He was the only casualty. The other nine crew members were taken prisoner.
Sgt Anderson was initially buried at the cemetery of Ugchelen, near Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.archives.gov
Photo source: FOHF, Julie Adkins - niece