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Personal info

Full name
HOMOLKA, Clarence W
Date of birth
21 July 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Oregon
Hometown
Canby, Clakanas County, Oregon

Military service

Service number
39313143
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner/Engineer
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 December 1943
Place of death
North Sea, 2 Miles off Langeoog Island, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
James Homolka (father)
Anna (Hlad) Homolka (mother)
John Homolka (brother)
Charles P. Homolka (brother)
George J. Homolka (brother)
James C. Homolka (brother)
Emma L. Homolka (sister)
Blanche A. Homolka (sister)
George E. Homolka (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30168
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Slo Jo
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 1666

More information

T/Sgt Clarence W. Homolka graduated from Camas Valley High School and was employed by a furniture company in Portland.

He enlisted in Portland, Oregon, on 23 July 1942.

According to witness statements of surviving crew members, the bombs exploded on board of the plane.

One picture shows his mother, who is presented his Purple Heart Medal. Records don't show the Purple Heart was awarded to T/Sgt Homolka, but the lack of these documents is not uncommon.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, William H. Shay, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.findagrave.com, www.newspapers.com - The News-Review

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.americanairmuseum.com, Stephanie Nies