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name
KANE, William H - Date of
birth
29 October 1916 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32824677 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Assistant Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
748th Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 June 1944 - Place of
death
Neu-Wulmstorf, West of Hamburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 15 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Myrtle Z. Kane (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31615 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Snafusk Shamrock
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing Oil Refinery
MACR: 6002
More information
Sgt William H. Kane enlisted in New York City, New York on 5 March 1943.Statement from James G. France, 1st Lt, A.C., Asst. Gp. S:
"A/C was observed to have been hit by AAGF in the target area. It was then seen to peel off from the formation and go into a bank and later spin. A/C left the formation at approximately 0930 hours on fire and with tail shot off. A/C was seen to break off into several pieces 1,000 to 2,000 feet off the ground. Three parachutes were sighted."
Sgt William H. Kane had managed to save himself with his parachute and was immediately attacked by members of the Volkssturm (German people's militia) and citizens. The cause of his death however was that a soldier shot him into his chest.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Arie-Jan van Hees, Teresa Schwind, Dieter Pintatis, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org)