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name
BLEYLE, George Valentine - Date of
birth
22 February 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Englewood, Bergen County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Englewood, Bergen County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-680597 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
16 December 1943 - Place of
death
Waddenzee approximately 2 miles northwest of Harlingen, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Anton A. Bleyle (father)
Elsie E. Bleyle (mother)
Carl W. Bleyle (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30872 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Blond Bomber
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1565
More information
2nd Lt George V. Bleyle graduated from Dwight Morrow High School and was a music teacher. He was also a member of an orchestra, directed by his brother.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Newark, New Jersey on 2 April 1942. He trained at Walla Walla, Washington and was commissioned in May 1943 in Waco, Texas.
Aircraft #42-31113, that was flying above aircraft #42-30872, was attacked by enemy aircraft. One engine was shot off and hit their airplane, causing them both to crash. No parachutes were seen.
The entire crew of both aircraft was killed.
At the time of Lt Bleyle's death, his brother served at Galena Field, Washington.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, The Record 8 January 1944
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, John Sise - Class 43E Fred Harman Pilot Training Center Class Book Texas, 96th Bomb Group Museum