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name
DETLEFSEN, Heinz Wilhelm - Date of
birth
11 July 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Manning, Carroll County, Iowa -
Hometown
Manning, Carroll County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-757961 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
435th Fighter Squadron,
479th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 November 1944 - Place of
death
Eight miles west of Minden, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 6 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Hans W. Detlefsen (father)
Therese G. (Thede) Detlefsen (mother)
Max Detlefsen (brother)
Elnor C. (Vannote) Detlefsen (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-14294 -
Data
Type: P-51D
Destination: Minden, Germany
Mission: Ramrod
MACR: 10424
More information
Heinz W. Detlefsen was a yardman.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Des Moines, Iowa, on 29 June 1942. After receiving his Wings at Williams Air Field, Arizona, in November 1943, he received his combat training at Santa Ana, California.
He was married to Elnor Vannote on 14 February 1944 and was sent to England on 1 April of the same year.
1st Lt Detlefsen was flying in the lead position when a right turn was called. Lt Detlefsen started a gradual right turn, while Lt Thomas V. Smith, who was in the #4 position, stopped his turn and assumed an almost level attitude. Most probably, Lt Smith was blinded by the sun. Lt Smith then gained some altitude until he collided with Lt Detlefsen, whose propeller cut the tail section off of Lt Smith's plane at approximately the fuselage tank. Lt Smith's plane immediately burst into flames, and both planes began to spin violently.
Lt Detlefsen was initially buried at the POW cemetery at Achmer Air Base.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Birth and Christening Index, www.davidkusel.com, Newspaper article, Ancestry.com - WWII Bonus Case Files
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-J, Williams Field, Arizona, Ancestry.com - Sue Roach