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name
CROUGH, William J - Date of
birth
21 July 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Yonkers, Westchester County, New York -
Hometown
Yonkers, Westchester County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
10600066 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
364th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 August 1943 - Place of
death
Westerschelde, off Vlissingen, Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 52 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William J. Crough (father)
Mary A. Crough (mother)
Majorie Crough (sister)
Jean Crough (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29807 -
Data
Type: B17F
Nickname: Lady Liberty
Destination: Vlissingen, The Netherlands
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 304
More information
Sgt William J. Crough volunteered for the Army of the United States on 29 June 1942.The 'Lady Liberty' s/n 42-29807 was originally assigned to the 334th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy and named 'Patsy Ann III'.
The airplane was hit by flak that caused it to break the fuselage in two just behind the radio room.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed.
It is supposed that Sgt Crough was killed instantly by the flak burst.
Sgt Crough's body was recovered on 20 August 1943 from the 'Buitenhaven' of Vlissingen and buried as an unknown airman at the Noorder Begraafplaats.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com
Photo source: Dominique Potier