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name
BECHTEL, James Madison - Date of
birth
23 December 1921 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Perkins County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Grant, Perkins County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37088931 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 March 1943 - Place of
death
English Channel, 1 mile off the coast of Veulettes-sur-Mer, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 54 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Howard E. Bechtel (father)
Zata L. (Smith) Bechtel (mother)
Arthur E. Bechtel (brother)
Isabel L. Bechtel (sister)
Helen M. Bechtel (sister)
Lester L. Bechtel (brother)
Guy W. Bechtel (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29537 -
Data
Type: B-17
Destination: Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 16086
More information
The airplane was attacked by enemy aircraft and exploded when it hit the water. Five parachutes were seen. All ten crew members were killed.A monument was erected on the beach near the D10 at Paluel, France in memory of the crew.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, WWIIMemorial.com, MACR, www.newspapers.com, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree,WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, Harry Strozzi