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Personal info

Full name
OLIVER, Clyde Edward
Date of birth
11 October 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Hometown
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
O-738013
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
839th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

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
C 14 7

Immediate family

Members
Claude E. Oliver (father)
Grace (Anderson) Oliver (mother)
Helen F. Oliver (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-37987
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Mean Widdle Kid
Destination: Brandenburg, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 13883

More information

Lt Clyde E. Oliver graduated from high school in 1934.

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.
Clyde was reported to have been in the bomb bay, with spilled chute, trying to gather chute together. It is believed by crewmembers that Lt Oliver did not bail out. Germans told them that Lt Oliver was dead in the plane upon the crash and had his wallet, which was shown to them.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census

Photo source: www.fold3.com, Peter Schouteten