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Personal info

Full name
THILL, Richard George
Date of birth
2 April 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
16146854
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
614th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 April 1944
Place of death
Northwest of Hannover, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 24 18

Immediate family

Members
Valentine M. Thill (father)
Lillian (Jakes) Thill (mother)
Elaine Thill (sister)
Raymond Thill (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39881
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Gloria J
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 4017

More information

S/Sgt Richard G. Thill graduated from Steinmetz High School in 1941.

The aircraft was hit by flak. It flew along, burning, for about 30 seconds in formation. It went up steeply, then into a straight dive. The bomb bay seemed to be on fire. Three chutes came out; two of these were delayed jumps. The aircraft then exploded.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Joseph Bisscheroux, Peter Schouteten, Chicago Tribune - 17 May 1944, Steinmetz High School 1941