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Submit- Full
name
CONDON, William Joseph - Date of
birth
14 December 1916 -
Age
27 -
Place of birth
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana -
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-809929 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
508th Bombardment Squadron,
351st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 May 1944 - Place of
death
Waldau-Bernburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 21 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William E. Condon (father)
Matilda J. (Robert) Condon (mother)
Thomas C. Condon (brother)
Richard E. Condon (brother)
John R. Condon (brother)
Patricia M. Condon (sister)*
Patricia M. Condon (wife)*
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31757 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Dessau, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft industry
MACR: 5333
More information
2nd Lt William J. Condon graduated from Calumet High School in 1937 and was a mechanic.He joined the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Chicago, Illinois on 12 January 1942.
He and his crew arrived at the 351st as a replacement crew. He flew his first mission on 11 May 1944. In total he flew five missions.
The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters over the target, knocking out #4 engine and setting it on fire. The airplane fell behind, even after the bombs were dropped. A group of eight to ten fighters then concentrated on the planes for a few minutes, until the pilot and co-pilot were either killed or wounded. At that moment the airplane went out of control.
Three crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner. Six men were killed.
Lt Condon was probably killed in his seat. Surviving crew members noticed that the windshield was full of holes by gunfire.
*Note: His sister and his wife had the exact same name.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree / Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940
Photo source: IDPF