Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
ROCHE, Philip Rodney - Date of
birth
27 February 1925 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
San Diego, San Diego County, California -
Hometown
San Diego, San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-929834 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
533rd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
Quackenbruck airbase, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 22 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William H. Roche (father)
Hazel F. (Stine) Roche (mother)
Michelle R. Roche (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6478 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Fürstenau/Vechtel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 13606
More information
Philip R. Roche graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1942.The airplane was last observed after being hit by flak in #4 engine, knocking the propeller and cowling off. It then went into a glide to the right, under control but on fire, leveled off and was under control for about 5 minutes and was then observed to spiral down and crash.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, California Birth Index
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - SW, Van Nuys High School 1942