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Personal info

Full name
NETECKE, Thomas M
Date of birth
7 January 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
16168989
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
574th Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
23 December 1944
Place of death
3 miles east of Ahrweiler, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
A 16 60

Immediate family

Members
Paul Netecke (father)
Veronica (Kuzas) Netecke (mother)
Raymond Netecke (brother)
Waunita (Grohoven) Netecke (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95818
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: Lady Chance
Destination: Ahrweiler, Germany
Mission: Bombing of a railway viaduct
MACR: 11677

More information

S/Sgt Thomas M. Netecke volunteered for the U.S. Army in Chicago, Illinois on 4 December 1942.

Statement from Cpl Fred J. Christensen:
"I was flying as Turret Gunner, low flight, first box, No. 5 position, on the mission to bomb Ahrweiler R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. Just after turning off of the target, I saw about 12 plus FW-190s attacking the formation from about 7 to 9 O’clock. I was busy trying to get a shot at them, but had time see that the left engine of aircraft No. 42-95818, piloted by Lt. Ryan, was on fire. Aircraft No. 42-95818 then began to slide back out of formation and when I last saw it, it was losing altitude, but apparently was under control. I observed no chutes from the plane."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Netecke Family Tree / 1930 Census / Cook County Illinois Birth Index / Cook County Illinois Marriage Index, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Annette Redford