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Personal info

Full name
TOZIER, Kerwin Gray
Date of birth
22 December 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
Santa Paula, Ventura County, California
Hometown
Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
39690837
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
711th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 May 1944
Place of death
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 33 24

Immediate family

Members
Lester B. Tozier (father)
Gertrude C. (Gowen) Tozier (mother)
Bradford G. Tozier (brother)
Everett L. Tozier (brother)
Vivian T. Tozier (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-102494
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 5249

More information

S/Sgt Kerwin G. Tozier attended Hollywood High School.

He enlisted on 21 December 1942 in Fresno, California.

The aircraft was flying #6 Low Squadron. It was caught in prop wash and contrails en route to the target. The aircraft was thrown over on its back and then went into a spin. It was not seen thereafter.

S/Sgt Kerwin's body was recovered near St. Peter on 15 June 1944. He was initially buried at St. Peter Cemetery on 15 June 1944.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / California Birth Index / WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten