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Personal info

Full name
COLE, Willis W
Date of birth
27 November 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Yuba County, California
Hometown
Butte County, California

Military service

Service number
39407665
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Nose Gunner
Unit
733rd Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 April 1944
Place of death
Brunswick, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 12 27

Immediate family

Members
Lesley Cole (father)
Nancy Cole (mother)
Leona Cole (sister)
Floyd Cole (brother)
Norman Cole (brother)
Ella (Fuller) Cole (sister)
Susan Cole (sister)
Christie Cole (wife)
Coleman Cole (son)

Plane data

Serial number
42-64464
Data
Type: B-24
Nickname: Cloud Hopper out of Old Buck
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 3923

More information

Was shot down by German fighters near the IP on 8 April 1944.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, WWIIMemorial.com, Fold3.com, Findagrave.com, Martin Cole

Photo source: Findagrave.com, www.b24bestweb.com, Peter Schouteten