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name
RHODABARGER, Bill Dewitt - Date of
birth
24 December 1918 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Oklahoma -
Hometown
Russell, Russell County, Kansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-684050 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
763rd Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 July 1944 - Place of
death
Unterdill, south of Munich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 5 | 80 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas D. Rhodabarger (father)
Lola E. Rhodabarger (mother)
Thomas D. Rhodabarger Jr. (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-99763 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Flying Junior
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 6917
More information
1st Lt Bill D. Rhodabarger attended college before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Riley, Kansas on 13 June 1942.When the formation cleared the target area, the airplane was hit by flak, resulting in blowing off the nose and causing considerable damage to the bombay section. A few seconds later fire broke out in the bomb bay.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight men were killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Karnell Rhodabarger Family Tree, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Have Paws will travel, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Jul.44.html
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Susanne Meinl, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-F, Coleman Flying School, Texas