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Personal info

Full name
FIROF, Dale E
Date of birth
14 August 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
South Sioux City, Dakota County, Nebraska
Hometown
Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota

Military service

Service number
17198773
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 January 1945
Place of death
Ketzin, south of Nauen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 16 14

Immediate family

Members
Tom Firof (father)
Marie L. Firof (mother)
Glen Firof (brother)
Tom Firof Jr. (brother)
Donna Firof (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-6480
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Derben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil storage
MACR: 11826

More information

S/Sgt Dale E. Firof attended Vermillion High School, where he played football, basketball and was track runner. He was also active in scouting. During his senior year, he was elected homecoming king for Tanager Day in 1943.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Sioux City, Iowa, on 8 June 1943.

The aircraft was lost during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 FW 190s and ME 109s at about 1240 hours. Due to the fact that the entire squadron was lost during these encounters, there are no particulars available on the attack and subsequent loss of this aircraft.

Seven crew members were killed. Six of them were initially buried at the community cemetery of Ketzin: Taylor, Lynch, Bone, Kelly, Firof and one unknown (which must have been the pilot Thumlert). The fate of Zito is unknown.

Two crew members were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, mva.sd.gov/sdwwiimemorial

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Tom Firof Jr., www.ancestry.com - Vermillion High School Yearbook 1944