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name
REESE, Whitney J - Date of
birth
28 July 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Beatricr, Gage County, Nebraska -
Hometown
McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38460812 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Nose Gunner -
Unit
527th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 January 1945 - Place of
death
Glatteneichen, 1,5 mile south of Wissen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 21 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles E. Reese (father)
Prudence H. Reese (mother)
Charles R. Reese (brother)
Prudence A. Reese (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38237 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Dallas Doll
Destination: Bonn, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Hangelar airfield
MACR: 11762
More information
Whitney J. Reese graduated from McAllen High School and attended Agricultural College in Ames, Iowa.He arrived in England in November 1944.
The airplane 43-38237 was hit by flak and went out of control. It came up and rammed airplane 43-38955 and with his #1 and #2 propellers cutted the plane in half at the bomb bay.
Seven crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Wissen on 14 January 1945. Two crew members were taken prisoner.
A brother, Bob Reese, also served with the Air Corps in England. He sustained the loss of a foot.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - The Monitor McAllen, Texas, WWII Draft Cards
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.e-yearbook.com - McAllen High School Yearbook 1942