Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
LANGFORD, William Henry
Date of birth
16 April 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Desha, Independence County, Arkansas
Hometown
Kenefic, Bryan County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
18131469
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
326th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
26 November 1943
Place of death
North Sea, off the coast of Langeoog, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John W. Langford (father)
Nettie (Sandy) Langford (mother)
N.J. Langford (brother)
John Langford (brother)
Annette Langford (sister)
Neill W. Langford (brother)
Patsy Langford (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30608
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1386

More information

Two of his older brothers also served.

The existing reports are conflicting but show that anti-aircraft fire was heavy and that there were German fighters in the area, but no one saw the airplane go down. It is assumed that it crashed into the North Sea. The entire crew of ten men was killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Anna Shurtleff, Bryant County Service Records