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Personal info

Full name
SWEITZER, Elmer Joseph
Date of birth
19 January 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio
Hometown
Shelby County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
35034937
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
369th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
11 January 1944
Place of death
Schalkhaar, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 4 9

Immediate family

Members
Bernard X. Schweitzer (father)
Elizabeth (Platfoot) Sweitzer (mother)
Leonard J. Schweitzer (brother)
Lena Schweitzer (sister)
Ruth Schweitzer (sister)
Cora B. Schweitzer (sister)
Charles A. Schweitzer (brother)
Rita L. Schweitzer (sister)
Orville J. Schweitzer (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29993
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Halberstad, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 1935

More information

Sgt Elmer J. Sweitzer was employed by the Citizens Ice and Coal Company. He enlisted with the Air Corps at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio on 24 July 1941.

The B-17 had the tail shot off by furious attacking FW-190's.

Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner. Nine men were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.anestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, Family Trees, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com