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name
PEAKE, Willis Eben - Date of
birth
13 January 1915 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado -
Hometown
Logan County, Colorado
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O1321661 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
839th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 April 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Genthin, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 34 | 29 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Eben P. Peake (father)
Sarah E. (Spurgin) Peake (mother)
Theo R. Peake (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-37987 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Mean Widdle Kid
Destination: Brandenburg, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 13883
More information
A/C 987 was hit by flak and then circled out of the formation to the left, passed over the formation and then began to lose altitude. #2 Engine was windmilling. It leveled off, with no signs of fire. One crew reported seeing the left wing break off and an explosion causing the A/C to lose control.Willis was injured, he received flak wounds around the head. He was pushed out from the waist door over the Elbe river. Germans told the crewmembers that he was dead, and had his pistol and holster, but would not tell them of what he died from. It is believed that he failed to open his chute because of his head injuries.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com