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name
ESTREM, Paul Joseph - Date of
birth
22 November 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Minnesota -
Hometown
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-765475 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier/Navigator -
Unit
574th Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Ahrweiler, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 3 | 43 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Carl O. Estrem (father)
Edith B. (Thorpe) Estrem (mother)
Goodwin B. Estrem (brother)
Robert D. Estrem (brother)
Ralph Estrem (brother)
Rachel Estrem (sister)
Katherine Estrem (sister)
Charles Estrem (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95865 -
Data
Type: B-26B-50
Nickname: Sky Hag
Destination: Ahrweiler, Germany
Mission: Large Rail Bridge
MACR: 11664
More information
2nd Lt Paul J. Estrem attended 4 years of college and was a teacher at Redlands Junior High School and taught General Math and Typing.He enlisted in Los Angeles, California on 9 October 1942.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as armorer-gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No. 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens received most of the fire. He dropped out of formation and began to lose altitude. No. 5 Position, piloted by Lt Donnelly left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flak because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown’s aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no Chutes from any of the mentioned aircraft."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com – T Burt, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 44-01 Carlsbad, New Mexico.