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name
TILLSON, Ned Wright - Date of
birth
8 March 1921 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa -
Hometown
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20761133 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 August 1944 - Place of
death
Near Rehmsdorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 49 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harold L. Tillson (father)
Marie D. (Wright) Tillson (mother)
Catherine M. Tillson (sister)
Harold L. Tillson (brother)
Joan Tillson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97797 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Full House
Destination: Zeitz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 8175
More information
S/Sgt Ned W. Tillson graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1940 and was a driver before he joined the National Guard at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on 15 September 1941.Capt David E. Olsson:
B-17G 42-97797 piloted by 1st Lt Allen E. Hannum, was seen to receive a direct hit by flak in the right wing, over the target of Zeitz, Germany at 1133 hours. There was an explosion near #3 engine which knocked most of the right wing off. The aircraft slipped out of formation and about a minute later the aircraft was seen to disintegrate in the air. Four chutes were reported as having left the aircraft.
T/Sgt John W. Sharon:
He did not bail out he was killed in the ship by the same blast that knocked the ship down.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Ferris Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Albert Ledoux, www.newspapers.com – The Des Moines Register - 15 March 1945
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Laura S / McCortman, www.newspapers.com – The Des Moines Register - 15 March 1945