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Personal info

Full name
MOORE, William A
Date of birth
1922
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Panama Canal Zone
Hometown
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
16116739
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 June 1944
Place of death
Baltic Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 13 8

Immediate family

Members
Fred H. Moore (father)
Anna H. Moore (mother)
Robert F. Moore (brother)
Mary J. Moore (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-110152
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: The Lady Will
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 7084

More information

Sgt William A. Moore graduated from West Allis High School. He attended the University of Winsconsin before he enlisted in September 1942.

On 20 June 1944, the Faucher Crew flew their third and final mission. This time they were flying an 856th plane. The objective was to attack the heavily defended oil refineries at Politz. While approaching target from the Baltic Sea, the 492nd was without figher protection and were blind-sided by the Luftwaffe. They were hit and the ship was on fire. Two men were killed on board. Sgt Moore was able to bail out before the plane exploded. The plane crashed in right in the center Stralsund, Germany, with its full payload of bombs.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, 492nd Bomb Group, The Milwaukee Journal 17-mar-1945, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Milwaukee Journal 17-mar-1945, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-A Gibbs Field, Texas