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Personal info

Full name
WROBEL, Glen Richard "Buddy"
Date of birth
23 August 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Chaseburg, Vernon County, Wisconsin
Hometown
La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
O-702090
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
859th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 July 1944
Place of death
Alikendorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
M 22 3

Immediate family

Members
Gustav A. Wrobel (father)
Huldah E.S. (Lenser) Wrobel (mother)
Adolph Wrobel (brother)
Zelma Wrobel (sister)
Esther Wrobel (sister)
Lorine Wrobel (sister)
Lucene Wrobel (sister)
Joyce M. (Bjorkman) Wrobel (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
44-40132
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: I'll Be Around
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Junkers-Zweigwerke, aviation industry
MACR: 7230

More information

2nd Lt Glen R. Wrobel worked in a metal factory.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in La Crosse, Wisconsin on 28 October 1942.

After the bomber group dropped their bombs the fighter escort was drawn off to protect another formation. From that moment they were attacked by an overwhelming force of FW-190's.

The initial hit by enemy cannon fire killed both waistgunners, Byers and Brackins on the spot.

The plane went out of control, spinning as it fell.

Five men were able to bail out during the horror. As their chutes neared the ground the German soldiers below began firing at them.

Four crew members were taken prisoner, six were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Alikendorf.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.492ndbombgroup.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.honorstates.org, www.492ndbombgroup.com