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Personal info

Full name
PUETZ, Harold William
Date of birth
15 January 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Illinois
Hometown
LaSalle County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
16076054
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Engineer
Unit
863rd Bombardment Squadron,
493rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
12 September 1944
Place of death
Near Zilly, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 7 28

Immediate family

Members
Peter F. Puetz (father)
Katherine M. (Schmitt) Puetz (mother)
Iona M. Puetz (sister)
Ronald W. Puetz (brother)
Roger J. Puetz (brother)
Colette M. Puetz (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38261
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Strategical
MACR: 8866

More information

The formation was attacked by enemy fighters at 23,000 feet, shortly after leaving the target area at 1110 hours and between the target (5207-1138) and the Rally Point (5210-1105). Seven of the twelve aircraft in this formation were lost.
Of the seven aircraft lost, three have been definitely identified and circumstances so stated in their particular Missing Air Crew Report. A/C 261 is believed to be one of the four unidentified aircrafts that were seen to go down in flames as a result of fighter attack. Of the four unidentified aircraft lost, five to six chutes were seen. Whether or not they were out of A/C 261 could not be determined.
T/Sgt Harold W. Puetz, F/O John R. Hewitt and 2nd Lt Kenneth D. Evans bailed out and were alright when they hit the ground but were shot by German Luftwaffe soldiers. Statement from T/Sgt Eugene A. Pax, 16155396. They were initially buried in Zilly Cemetery, Germany.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.ancestry.com, www.findagrave.com, Des Philippet