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name
MERIT, Thomas E - Date of
birth
11 October 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
New Jersey -
Hometown
San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39536238 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Gunner -
Unit
401st Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
3 November 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas E. Merit (father)
Helen E. (Monk) Merit (mother)
Jack E. Merit (brother)
Shirley L. Merit (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39802 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombardment
MACR: 1153
More information
S/Sgt Thomas E. Merit was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson Junior High and attended Hoover High school. He was a civil service employe with the U.S. army engineering department.He received basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas and was sent to the Harlingen Army Gunnery School, Texas.
The plane was last seen behind the formation with engine #2 on fire at 5350N - 0658E and probably crashed into the North Sea. Five parachutes were observed. There were 3 survivors, James E. Peacock, Ernest P. Colvin and James X. MCilwain who were saved by a German boat and taken POW. Frank J. Beauregard bailed out but drowned ans washed ashore. Kenneth B. Rutledge, Albert E. Mahe, Raymond R. Rodenbaugh and Robert S. Balsey are on the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge, England. Thomas E. Merit and Milton Wauneka on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten, The Netherlands
Source of information: FOHF, Census US 1930 / Ancestry, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, The San Diego Union - 4 January 1943 and 18 January 1943, Merit Collections (vadamcdonald7) / Ancestry
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The San Diego Union - 18 January 1943)