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name
BROWN, William R - Date of
birth
18 August 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
New Berlin, Chenango County, New York -
Hometown
Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20302487 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
29 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Lathen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Lee C. Brown (father)
Pearl E. (Marshall) Brown (mother)
Paul L. Brown (brother)
Alfred L. Brown (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30150 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: The Exterminator
Destination: Oschersleben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Ago / Focke-Wulf - aircraft industry
MACR: 214
More information
T/Sgt William R. Brown graduated from East Stroudsburg High School.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Indiantown, Pennsylvania, on 8 August 1941.
The airplane was attacked by enemy aircraft and exploded. According to witnesses, one parachute was seen to open. The entire crew of ten was killed and is remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. Their remains were never found.
The mission took place on 28 July 1943. The entire crew was officially declared dead one year and one day after they were reported missing in action.
At the time of his death, his brother Alfred served in England, and his brother Paul was stationed in Tallahassee, Florida.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov, The Morning Call - 23 October 1943, 29 August 1944, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File, 1930 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten