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name
MENDENHALL, William Carl - Date of
birth
23 June 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Trotwood, Mahoning County, Ohio -
Hometown
Trotwood, Montgomery County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35625420 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
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 |
|---|---|---|
| B | 36 | 48 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Russel L. Mendenhall (father)
Irma (Mannier) Mendenhall (mother)
Paul H. Mendenhall (brother)
Marthann Mendenhall (sister)
Mary Lou Mendenhall (sister)
Thomas Mendenhall (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40150 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Ruptured Duck
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 6775
More information
Sgt William C. Mendenhall graduated from Madison Township High School and was employed by the Duro Pump Company in Dayton.He enlisted at 25 January 1943 in Columbus, Ohio and was sent overseas in April 1944.
He was on his 7th mission on 20 June 1944, they participated in the raid on the oil refineries at Politz. The 492nd was met with heavy resistance by the Luftwaffe before reaching the target. While still flying over the Baltic Sea near Rugen Island, the a/c was hit by cannon fire from an Me-410. Although the ship was already on fire and was going down, small arms fire continued to riddle the ship. A few were able to bail out, but only one man survived.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, 492nd Bomb Group, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Journal Herald 15 September 1944, The Dayton Herald 6 July 1944