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Personal info

Full name
HERT, Carl J
Date of birth
22 September 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
O-887066
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
703rd Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
26 November 1944
Place of death
15 Miles southeast of Hanover, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 13 29

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Hert (father)
Irene Hert (mother)
Norman Hert (brother)
Gladys (Marzullo) Hert (wife)
David Hert (son)

Plane data

Serial number
42-50729
Data
Type: B-24J
MACR: 11216
Destination: Misburg, Germany

More information

1st Lt Carl J Hert graduated from Lakeview High School and was working as a mechanic for his father who owned a garage and trucking business. He entered the Air Corps in February 1943.

The airplane was hit by fighters just after bombs away but the plane was still under control. Two men bailed out of the nose and parachutes opened.

Carl Hert was shot after he surrendered to German soldiers. In 1947 the War Crimes Office launched a thorough investigation. A German soldier was identified, sentenced to death, but a year later his sentence was commuted to life in prison.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Archives.gov

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-K, Blackland Army Air Field, Arizona / Pilot 43-K, Waco, Texas