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name
TIDWELL, Billy Mack - Date of
birth
27 October 1923 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Dennis, Tishomingo County, Mississippi -
Hometown
Tishomingo County, Mississippi -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14129923 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Turret Gunner -
Unit
333rd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 April 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Osterby, about 16 km west of Flensburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 14 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry W. Tidwell (father)
Hestie Tidwell (mother)
Athar L. Tidwell (brother)
Herbert L. Tidwell (brother)
Maurice Tidwell (brother)
Eula Tidwell (sister)
Ruth Tidwell (sister)
Cathleen Tidwell (sister)
Nadine Tidwell (sister)
Bernell Tidwell (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97086 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Arnimswalde, Germany
MACR: 4008
More information
S/Sgt Billy M. Tidwell worked with his father on the family farm.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States on 22 July 1942 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
The aircraft lost two engines due to flak over the Danish Peninsula and left the formation under control. S/Sgt Tidwell was believed to be injured because he called for other crewmembers to help him out of the wreckage. They tried to get him out but he was pinned in. They worked until the flames got too hot and close for their safety. The ammunition began to explode because of the heat and they believed that S/Sgt Tidwell was burned to death.
S/Sgt Tidwell is remembered at Joel Cemetery in Dennis, Tishomingo County, Mississippi with a memorial marker.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten. www.findagrave.com