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name
BREARTON, William Stricker - Date of
birth
25 February 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Brown County, South Dakota -
Hometown
Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39530623 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 September 1943 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Norden, north of Emden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 17 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Martin R. Brearton (father)
Florence M. (Stricker) Brearton (mother)
Marjorie E. Brearton (sister)
Betty J. Brearton (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5888 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Elusive Elcy
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port area
MACR: 732
More information
T/Sgt William S. Brearton was a shipping clerk.He enlisted in Los Angeles, California on 11 August 1942.
The aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and was last seen on fire, losing altitude, going down. It's left wing then came off and it exploded. Two men were seen to come out of the ship, but only one with a parachute.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - Argus-Leader, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - Argus-Leader