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Personal info

Full name
MILLEA, William Alfred
Date of birth
9 July 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
Hometown
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island

Military service

Service number
O-751020
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
750th Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
30 September 1944
Place of death
Weselerstrasse, Münster, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 10 22

Immediate family

Members
Alfred Millea (father)
Rose A. Millea (mother)
John Millea (brother)
Marguerite Millea (sister)
Rosalee Millea (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38538
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city, marshalling yard and Handorf airfield
MACR 9525

More information

1st Lt William A. Millea attended college and worked in an automobile factory.

He enlisted in Providence, Rhode Island, on 9 September 1941.

The airplane was hit by flak. According to witness statements, the nose of the airplane crumpled forward and went down. One wing or parts of both wings broke off. There was a bright red flash, apparently forward of the bomb bay or between #3 and #4 engines. Parts of the tail section appeared to break off. The aircraft dropped immediately after the apparent explosion, almost leveled off and then went straight down.

The entire crew of ten was killed. They were initially buried at the war prisoners cemetery of Haus Spital, near Münster, most of them as unknowns.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, 1925 Rhode Island Census, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Jac Engels, HonorStates.org, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-G Chico AAF California, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org)