Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
NICHOLAS, William Charles
Date of birth
23 April 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Baker County, Oregon
Hometown
King County, Washington

Military service

Service number
39199260
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
711th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

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

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 10 2

Immediate family

Members
Edward C. Nicholas (father)
Della (Ebell) Nicholas (mother)
Everett R. Nicholas (brother)
Juanita D. Nicholas (sister)
Lillian J. Nicholas (half-sister)
Lois A. Nicholas (half-sister)
Patricia Nicholas (half-sister)
Mary L. Nicholas (wife)

Plane data

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

More information

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 William C. Nicholas' body was washed ashore near St. Peter-Ording on 6 September 1944.

He was initially buried at St. Peter Cemetery on 6 September 1944.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: Peter Schouteten