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name
HEYNE, Richard - Date of
birth
1924 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Missouri -
Hometown
Mogollon, Catron County, New Mexico
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-712005 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
378th Fighter Squadron,
362nd Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
29 October 1944 - Place of
death
Near Landau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 27 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harris D. Heyne (father)
Marion L. Heyne (mother)
Janet M. Heyne (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-26934 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: Landau, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 9631
More information
Richard Heyne graduated from Reserve High School in 1940 and attended Colorado State University and New Mexico State University.He enlisted in 1943 and in May 1944 he was sent overseas as part of the 463rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 309th Fighter Group flying P-51 B aircraft equipped with cameras for close air reconnaissance. He completed his first 50 mission tour and immediately volunteered for a second tour. He was assigned to fly P-47 Thunderbolts as part of the 378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group.
Statement from 2nd Lt William H. Steward:
"While flying blue 3 on a mission to the Landau Area, my flight went in to strafe the marshalling yards at Landau. My wingman and I circled while blue one and blue two, Lt Heyne, went down in to strafe the marshalling yards. When they came up through the clouds, we joined them, but Lt Heyne was missing. On looking towards the marshalling yards, I saw a plane burning and heading into the clouds. That was the last I saw of it."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Carol Bee, http://scarletboy44.tumblr.com , 362nd Fighter Group, New Mexico State University "Aggies at War"