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Personal info

Full name
TINSLEY, Alvis Warren
Date of birth
4 November 1921
Age
21
Place of birth
West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas
Hometown
Edwards County, Texas

Military service

Service number
38248978
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
367th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 October 1943
Place of death
Fisherhude, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 6 52

Immediate family

Members
William A. Tinsley (father)
Willie O. Tinsley (mother)
Joseph H. Tinsley (brother)
Thomas H. Tinsley (brother)
John P. Tinsley (brother)
John B. Tinsley (brother)
W. Marie Tinsely (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29959
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the shipyard and industrial area
MACR: 867

More information

Statement of T/Sgt Virgil A. Struckhoff, one of the surviving crew members: "On 8 October 1943 over Bremen, Germany, we received several direct hits from anti-aircraft fire, and took the blunt of numerous passes from German planes. Our plane was crippled and burning. The Pilot, 1st Lt Lawrence W. Kooima gave orders to jump. He and co-pilot 1st Lt Frank K. Crawford were trying to keep the plane level when I left."

Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner, six men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten