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name
WELSH, James Gilbert - Date of
birth
8 June 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Cherry Hill, Northampton County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-820121 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
860th Bombardment Squadron,
493rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 September 1944 - Place of
death
Bielefeld/Johannistal-Wellenkotten, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 22 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William F. Welsh (father)
Elizabeth Welsh (mother)
Margaret L. Welsh (sister)
John C. Welsh (brother)
Betty Welsh (sister)
Juanita A. Welsh (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38115 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Reluctant Lassie
Destination: Bielefeld, Germany
MACR: 9429
More information
Lt Welsh was graduated from the Clymer High School in 1942. He had been employed by the Niagara Falls Carborundum Company before entering the Service.It is strongly believed that the aircraft has been hit by a bomb (500 lb. G.P. - 1/10 tail - 1/40 nose fuzing) or bombs dropped from A/C in high element of 493rd "A" lead group.A/C 115 (#43-38115) exploded almost immediately and dove straight down in a mass of flames breaking up completely.The majority of the crews reported seeing one chute (navigator, 2nd Lt Artemon P. Johnston). The navigator, when asked later, had no recollection what so ever about what has happened.The blast and debris from A/C 115 even caused the probable destruction of A/C 480 (#43-38480, MACR 9430), flying the No. 3 position in the high element. Eventually 7 crewmembers of #43-38115 were KIA, 1 MIA and 1 became POW/RTD.
The bodies of the crewmembers who were killed in action were first buried on 6 October 1944 at the Bielefeld-Senne cemetery.
Source of information: Cor van den Burg, Terry Hirsch, Erwin Derhaag, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - New York, Record of Award Medal / The Indiana Gazette / Headstone and Interment Record, http://www.usaafdata.com/ - USAAF Personnel Records, www.fold3.com - MACR, Statement, 1st Lt Robert W. Schottlekorb, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Indiana Gazette 15 April 1944