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name
ECKERT, Melvin - Date of
birth
26 September 1921 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Mason, Mason County, Texas -
Hometown
Mason, Mason County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38113790 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
525th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 June 1943 - Place of
death
Near Oldenburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 22 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gustav H. Eckert (father)
Katie J. (Kuhlman) Eckert (mother)
Ruby M. Eckert (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29864 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
MACR: 1759
More information
Melvin Eckert enlisted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.The airplane was attacked by German fighters.
According to crew members who survived, the pilot attempted to get the airplane to crash land and save the wounded crew but it blew up in mid-air.
Two crew members were taken prisoner, eight men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorail.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Peter Schouteten, San Angelo Standard Times 8 May 1945