Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
BOETTCHER, John H - Date of
birth
24 October 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Winona County, Minnesota -
Hometown
Pierce County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39214440 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
572nd Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 February 1945 - Place of
death
Koblenz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 5 | 49 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John M. Boettcher (father)
Frida Boettcher (mother)
Elfrida E. Boettcher (sister)
Helen J. (Glenn) Boettcher (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-34337 -
Data
Type: B-26G
Nickname: Homesick Papa
Destination: Idrich, Germany
MACR: 12609
More information
Boettcher, a tail gunner on an army bomber based in France, entered service October 5, 1943, and started pilot training at Buckley Field, Colo. He became ill and when discharged from the hospital was transferred to an armorers’class. He then went to Buckingham Field, Fla., for gunnery training. The sergeant came home on furlough in August, 1944 and then went to Burmington Field, Ga. In December, 1944, he was sent to England and moved to France in February of this year.'I was flying as radio/gunner, no. 4 position, low flight, of the first box. I first noticed aircraft no. 43-34337, Captain McPherson's plane as it was swinging and heading towards the ground. I followed it all the way to the ground and saw it explode. I saw no chutes.'
Statement from George B. Irick, S/Sgt, AAF, 18192405.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com The Winona Republican Herald
Photo source: Ralph Peeters - www.findagrave.com, The Winona Republican Herald