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name
GOLDEN, William J - Date of
birth
7 July 1914 -
Age
29 - Place of
birth
Newark, Essex County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Newark, Essex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32456878 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
27 September 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, off the coast of Langeoog Island, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas A. Golden (father)
Mary E. (Franks) Golden (mother)
Francis A. Golden (brother)
Thomas V. Golden (brother)
Marion B. Golden (sister)
Elizabeth C. Golden (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29750 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Rebel's Revenge
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat base
MACR: 668
More information
S/Sgt William J. Golden was employed at the U.S. Post Office before he enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 7 August 1942.At approximately 1010 hours, 24,000 feet, just after leaving the target, the airplane was seen with an engine on fire. It left the formation and was seen to drop its bombs. It was last seen heading down in a dive.
Two crew members survived the crash: 2nd Lt Richard F. Hull and T/Sgt Edgar G. Fetty and were taken prisoner. The bodies of two other crew members, 2nd Lt John M. Perritt and 2nd Lt Frank O. Rolfe, washed ashore and were initially interred at Langeoog Cemetery Duenenfriedhof.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, IDPF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Golden Family Tree
Photo source: FOHF / Niels Lenssen / Angelique Lenssen - Golden Family Tree