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Personal info

Full name
GINGRICH, Albert Herman
Date of birth
25 December 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
DeKalb County, Indiana
Hometown
DeKalb County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
35552990
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
701st Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
20 March 1945
Place of death
3 miles East of Helgoland, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Jesse Gingrich (father)
Myrtie (Craven) Gingrich (mother)
Hazel C. Gingrich (sister)
Hilda M. Gingrich (sister)
Harrison L. Gingrich (brother)
Mabel H. Gingrich (sister)
Harvey Gingrich (brother)
Evelyn R. (Grear) Gingrich (wife)
Herman P. Gingrich (son)
Kenneth Gingrich (son)

Plane data

Serial number
44-48851
Data
Type: B-24-JSH
Destination: Hemmingstadt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Heide oil refinery
MACR: 13563

More information

S/Sgt Albert H. Gingrich attended Kendalville High school and was employed by Auburn Rubber Co before entering the service. S/Sgt Gingrich was known by his middle name, Herman.

He enlisted in Toledo, Ohio on 2 April 1943.

The aircraft received a direct hit by flak while on his bomb run. The right wing came off and a large hole was observed in the left wing. The ship then blew up as it crashed into the water.
The entire crew is listed on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten.

His picture was taken in high school in 1936

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - Garrett Clipper

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Kendalville High School yearbook 1936