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name
WHITELAW, Richard Sherman "Dick" - Date of
birth
17 February 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California -
Hometown
Fillmore, Ventura County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-666486 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
503rd Fighter Squadron,
339th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 June 1944 - Place of
death
51°19'55"N 11°20'29E
Kalbsrieth, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Reid Whitelaw (father)
Marian H. (Sherman) Whitelaw (mother)
Robert L. Whitelaw (brother)
Mary G. (Weiler) Whitelaw (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-106821 -
Data
Type: P-51B
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bomber escort
MACR: 6549
More information
Capt Richard S. Whitelaw graduated from Fillmore High School in 1936. He served with the United States Marine Corps when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He received his silver wings and commission to second lieutenant in 1943.Statement of 1st Lt Victor W. Meyer:
“On 29 June 1944 at approximately 0645 hours I was flying wing for Capt R.S. Whitelaw on an escort mission to Leipzig when we saw three FW 190s attack the bombers. We broke on them, Capt Whitelaw going straight down, and I followed but lost sight of him and the enemy aircraft he was chasing when they went through an overcast. I looked about but could not see them, so pulled up through the overcast. This was the last time I saw Capt Whitelaw.”
He was initially buried at Kalbsrieth Cemetery, Germany.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees, www.ancestry.com - Fillmore Joint Union High School 1943
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Fillmore Joint Union High School Yearbook 1936