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name
HYLAND, Edward J - Date of
birth
14 November 1920 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-674371 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
368th Fighter Squadron,
359th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 January 1944 - Place of
death
At the end of Ebbine Wubbenlaan
2 km north of Staphorst, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 3 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John E. Hyland (father)
Elizabeth G. (Fleming) Hyland (mother)
Mary J. Hyland (sister)
Margaret Hyland (sister)
Elizabeth D. Hyland (sister)
Marilyn P. Hyland (sister)
Theresa E. Hyland (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-8542 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: Diepholz, Germany
Mission: Bomber escort
MACR: 1857
More information
Edward J. Hyland was a plasterer.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 6 January 1942.
Statement of Capt Wayne N. Bolefahr, who flew in the same mission: "At approximately 1300, 11 January 1944, while leading blue flight of 368th Fighter Squadron, we were bounced by 3 Me 109s at 20,000 ft., vicinity Lingen, Germany. In making a port luffberry turn, 2nd Lt Edward J. Hyland, flying No. 2 position, was seen to spin out, recover, spin again, and recover, and was last sighted headed west into overcast at 15,000 ft. with a Me 109 on his tail."
The lifeless body of Lt Hyland was removed by the Germans and turned over to the local authorities. He was first buried as 'unknown' (X-14) in a nearby churchyard in Staphorst and reinterred on 22 December 1945 at Margraten.
The engine of the airplane was found at the crash site in October 2008.
Note: Capt Bolefahr was killed in action on 10 June 1944 and is buried at Ardennes Cemetery.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / WWII Enlistment Record / Family Tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Jo Kikken, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43 B/D, Jones Field, Bonham, Texas, Mary Beth Reed (niece)