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name
WATTS, Woodard Charles - Date of
birth
4 February 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Lawrence, Tennessee -
Hometown
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34366107 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
702nd Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 September 1944 - Place of
death
Ulfen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| P | 21 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Woodard F. Watts (father)
Freda M. (Skillern) Watts (mother)
Margaret J. Watts (sister)
Freda M. Watts (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50324 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Eileen
Destination: Kassel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Henschel & Son aircraft plant
MACR: 9388
More information
Statement of Capt Andres Grove:'100 to 150 enemy aircraft attacked our formation from 6 o'clock. They came in about 10 to 15 abreast and there were about 6 rows. B-24's were going down all around and it was impossible to state which was which. Many parachutes were seen in the area. Many of the planes were seen going down in flames.'
The co-pilot, 2nd Lt Walter George believed he was killed on the ground by civilians. He heared much small arms fire and many shouts and cries.
S/Sgt Watts was first buried at the cemetery of Ulfen the same day.
Woodard Watts had a twinsister Margaret Jane Watts. He was employed by Warfield and Keeble, architects, prior to entering the service in September, 1942. Overseas since June 28, he was a graduate of Andrews Preparatory School, and attended Hillsboro and West End High Schools. He had been promoted to private first class and was enrolled in the B-24 Liberator mechanics school at Keesler Field, Miss. in 1943
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, www.newspapers.com - The Tennessean
Photo source: Peter Schouteten