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Personal info

Full name
ESTLE, Dale Raymond
Date of birth
16 September 1915
Age
28
Place of birth
Iowa
Hometown
Ledyard, Kossuth County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
37652527
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
786th Bombardment Squadron,
466th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
15 August 1944
Place of death
Nijetrijne, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
B 5 17

Immediate family

Members
Tony R. Estle (father)
Mary A. Estle (mother)
Mabel K. Estle (sister)
Pearl M. Estle (sister)
Robert L. Estle (brother)
John W. Estle (brother)
Ruth A. Estle (sister)
Leroy W. Estle (brother)
Dorothy J. Estle (sister)
Norma F. Estle (sister)
Lunetta Estle (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95157
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Vechta, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 8427

More information

S/Sgt Dale R. Estle attended college for 1 year and was a cook before he enlisted at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa on 28 December 1942.

The airplane and three other of the formation were attacked by enemy fighters. It crashed at Nijetrijne. Six crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the General Cemetery of Wolvega on 18 August 1944.

Source of information: Dennis and Gerda Hermsen, Estle family, Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Dennis and Gerda Hermsen, Estle family, Jerry Yocum, Historian, Camp Algona POW Museum