Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
OWEN, Gla Erling
Date of birth
19 March 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa
Hometown
Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
37189797
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner/Engineer
Unit
549th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 January 1944
Place of death
Kaiserslautern, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 31 10

Immediate family

Members
Charles L. Owen (father)
Hazel E. (O'Connell) Owen (father)
L. Barrett (stepfather)
Lavola E. Owen (sister)
Francis E. Owen (brother)
Muriel G. (Strine) Owen (wife)
Sandra J. Owen (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30251
Data
Nickname: Piccadilly Queen
Type: B-17F
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
MACR: 2267

More information

The aircraft was seen to be victim of violent attacks by enemy fighters between the target and the rally point. It was hit several times and the whole leading edge of one of the wings was blown off. Several crew members of other B-17s in the group saw that a Me-109 actually rammed the aircraft when it made a head on attack. It was last seen going down in the clouds.

Four crew members were taken prisoner, six men were killed.

According to surviving crew members he was hit in the face by enemy gun fire.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans,www.ancestry.com - WWII Bonus Case File 1925 Census, MACR 2267, Peter Schouteten

Photo source: http://b17warhorse.fws1.com, Peter Schouteten