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Personal info

Full name
MATZENBACHER, Meredith
Date of birth
17 January 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
O-742751
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
366th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
26 November 1943
Place of death
Ipweger Moor, near Rastede, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 9 1

Immediate family

Members
Terry Matzenbacher (father)
Floy M. (Gaddard) Matzenbacher (mother)
Merle Matzenbacher (brother)
Rachel Matzenbacher (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30015
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Flying Hobo
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 1571

More information

Meredith Matzenbacher attended high school for four years and was a shipping clerk. He enlisted in Los Angeles, California on 7 March 1941.

The airplane was shot down by enemy aircraft. Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner. nine men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Oldenburg on 1 December 1943.

Lt Matzenbacher was wounded and could not bail out. His body was found at the crash site in his seat.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Stefanie Goddard