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Submit- Full
name
FOWLER, William Ernest - Date of
birth
24 November 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
South Dakota -
Hometown
Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37558091 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
786th Bombardment Squadron,
466th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 February 1945 - Place of
death
Near Dinslaken, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 27 | 19 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John W. Fowler (father)
Goldie Fowler (mother)
John Fowler (brother)
Benjamin Fowler (brother)
Helen M. (Ochs) Fowler (wife)
Sandra Kay Fowler (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-110188 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 12220
More information
Statement from 1st Lt Bigby Parrott, 785th Bomb squadron, Pilot.'B-24 this group direct hit by flak at Munster in No.1 engine. Got control about 2 to 4000 feet below formation. Flames were boiling out of the engine, but believe it was out when he went out of sight, headed South'.
Statement from 1st Lt Jesse H. McKnight Jr., 786th Bomber squadron, Sq-Pilot.
'Johnson in No.3 position was hit by direct flak burst just behind No.1 engine, causing fire. Put fire out, and left formation under control with 2 fighters (Munster), headed about 250 degree, trailing Edge of wing partly torn away'.
T/Sgt William E. Tail Gunner S/Sgt John L. Gates, Right Waist Gunner S/Sgt Theodore W. Mabee and Left Waist Gunner S/Sgt Raleigh P. Murray were killed.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - South Dakota Marriages / 1930 Census / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch