Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
MAYER, Earl J
Date of birth
1 October 1924
Age
19
Place of birth
Illinois
Hometown
St. Clair County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36482015
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
571st Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 May 1944
Place of death
Near Osterholz, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 23 15

Immediate family

Members
Albert H. Mayer (father)
Agnes J. (Schlemer) Mayer (mother)
Leon Mayer (brother)
Roy Mayer (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3498
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
MACR: 4582

More information

A/C was flying in the low squadron of 95th Composite Group, when it began to struggle and was attacked by enemy aircraft at 21,000 feet near 5245N - 0910E. Pieces seemed to fly off A/C 498. No fire or other damage was observed. A/C nosed down and went into a flat spin. No chutes were seen.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Belleville Daily News-Democrat - 29 November 1944