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name
ZIRNHELD, George Raymond - Date of
birth
17 March 1918 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Portsmouth, Virginia -
Hometown
Norfolk, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33630825 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
10 September 1945 - Place of
death
Dessau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
John B. Zirnheld (father)
Pauline (Grosshenny) Zirnheld (mother)
Pauline Zirnheld (sister)
John Zirnheld Jr. (brother)
Teresa E. Zirnheld (sister)
Margaret A. Zirnheld (sister)
Dorothy A. Zirnheld (sister)
Robert E. Zirnheld (brother)
Audrey E. (Beard) Zirnheld (wife)
Carl R. Zirnheld (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39975 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Just Plain Lonesome
Destination: Dessau, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 5355
More information
S/Sgt George R. Zirnheld attended St. Mary High School.He enlisted in Richmond, Virginia on 26 March 1943.
The mission took place on 30 May 1944.
The aircraft was first hit by flak over the target and then hit by enemy aircraft.
It is assumed the entire crew of nine men was killed. Three men are commemorated at the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle, seven men are commemorated at the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge Cemetery.
The official date of death is 10 September 1945 for all crew members. The reason is not known.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card, www.ancestry.com - Marriage Records / Family Tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, World War II Young American Patriots