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name
FERENCHAK, George J - Date of
birth
23 February 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Catasauqua, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12054610 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
836th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Rouvreux, about 15 miles south of Liège, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 8 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Ferenchak (father)
Anna (Hamilla) Ferenchak (mother)
Anna M. Ferenchak (sister)
Cecilia Ferenchak (sister)
Agnes C. Ferenchak (sister)
Joseph Ferenchak (brother)
Olga Ferenchak (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38926 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Weary Willy
Destination: Babenhausen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 11675
More information
George Ferenchak worked as a mechanic and repairman.He volunteered for the Air Corps of Army of the United States in Wilmington, Delaware on 12 March 1942.
According to the pilot, Lt Waldron, the group was attacked by FW-190's attacked from the tail. The airplane was riddled from this attack, the whole right wing was aflame and there was fire in the bomb bay. The pilot, Lt Waldron, held it as long as he could but it was uncontrollable and fell off in a spin. He went down to the galley-way and saw Lt Eschleman, F/O Shuster, S/Sgt Andrews thrown against the right side of the airplane unable to move. Lt Waldron tried to throw them out but couldn't on account of the centrifugal force. Lt Waldron had just put his hand on his parachute when the airplane blew up and the concussion forced him out the escape hatch.
Six crew members were killed, three survived.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - Paul Webber, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / Ruprecht Family Tree
Photo source: William J Waldron, www.findagrave.com - Paul Webber