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name
MILLNER, William Joseph - Date of
birth
25 November 1916 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Richmond, Ontario County, New York -
Hometown
Staten Island, Richmond County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-681548 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 January 1944 - Place of
death
Herzberg am Harz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 43 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Robert J. Millner Sr. (father)
Claire A. Millner (mother)
Claire R. Millner (sister)
Robert J. Millner Jr. (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30865 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Oschersleben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the AGO-Fucke-Wulf aviation industry
MACR: 1927
More information
2nd Lt William J. Millner attended college and worked in a machine shop.He enlisted at Camp Upton in Yaphank on Long Island, New York.
T/Sgt Stan Backiel, top turret gunner and surviving crew member stated after the war: "The plane was under enemy attack for about 20 minutes, most of the time out of formation and gradually losing altitude. We received the bail out order by bell. I noticed that the oxygen and probably the hydraulic oil were on fire just behind the pilot- and bomb bay area. All plexiglas in the nose section was gone. It was very windy and chaos in the nose area and I saw both pilots still in their seats as I bailed out."
Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner, six were killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1930 census / United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 / U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil,WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.303rdBG.com, https://airforce.togetherweserved.com