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name
WETZEL, Lowell Livingston "Buzz" - Date of
birth
9 August 1922 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Akron, Summit County, Ohio -
Hometown
Portage County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-792189 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
21 May 1943 - Place of
death
Stobben-Vlagtwedde, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 13 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harry F. Wetzel (father)
Alice M. (Graham) Wetzel (mother)
Vida Wetzel (sister)
Dorothy A. (Starner) Wetzel (wife)
Lowell "Buzz" Wetzel Jr. (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29727 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: In Der Fuehrer’s Face
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
More information
1st Lt Lowell L. Wetzel attended Kent State University where he was football star. In 1941 he followed the Civilian Pilot Training Program.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Cleveland, Ohio on 23 December 1941.
His son was born after his father was reported missing.
The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters, which caused a fire in #3 engine and in the radio room. According to statements of dutch citizens the airplane came down burning fiercely and exploded when it hit the ground.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Vlagtwedde, The Netherlands.
Source of information: FOHF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, The Kent Stater, SLO Drenthe
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.ancestry.com - Kent State University Yearbook 1942 and 1941