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Personal info

Full name
SCHWANKL, Elmer W
Date of birth
10 March 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
North Dakota
Hometown
Wilkin County, Minnesota

Military service

Service number
O-683786
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
21 January 1944
Place of death
Heuringham, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John N. Schwankl (father)
Lena M. Schwankl (mother)
Carlton G. Schwankl (brother)
Alroy E. Schwankl (borther)
Orval Schwankl (brother)
Wilfred L. Schwankl (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-37818
Data
type: B-17G
Nickname: Pub Pete/Dinah Might
Destination: Calais, France
MACR: 2270

More information

A/C 818 was observed in target area at about 1500 hours. In burst into flames during the second bomb run. It dropped out of formation and lost altitude. It was last seen in the target area, heading toward the channel. A/C was believed to be hit by heavy flak.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Schwankl Family, www.findagrave.com - Pattotie / https://www.390th.org/, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-F, Pampa, California