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name
BOND, Walter S - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Maine -
Hometown
Kennebec County, Maine
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31220267 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
342nd Bombardment Squadron,
97th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Ascheim, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 | 53 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Christopher C. Bond (father)
Bessie B. Bond (mother)
Lucile C. Bond (sister)
Frances L. Bond (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102918 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Munich, Germany
MACR: 6688
More information
Report of William J. Farrel, Technical Sergeant:"We had gone over the target and dropped our bombs, when I saw an aircraft with #2 engine on fire; the flames extending along the length of the fuselage and at times nearly obscuring the plane from my sight.
"The flaming aircraft followed in formation and completed the turn off the target in place, maintaining altitude. When the turn was completed, the burning aircraft left the formation and I observed at least (5) five chutes come out of the aircraft, and they all opened. After the men left the aircraft, the tail section separated from the aircraft and the fire went out as the aircraft plunged straight down."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Fred