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name
JONES, William Riley - Date of
birth
19 May 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Georgia -
Hometown
Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-760860 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
497th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 February 1945 - Place of
death
Weissenthurm near Koblenz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 3 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George W. Jones (father)
Pauline (Lindsey) Jones (mother)
George W. Jones Jr. (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95914 -
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: Shirley Ann
Destination: Engers, Germany
Mission: Bombing of a railroad bridge
MACR: 12532
More information
Immediately after dropping his bombs over the target, the aircraft was hit in the right wing by a burst of flak. The aircraft immediately burst into flames and pulled left out of formation, for approximately 1000 yards when the right wing blew completely off the aircraft. The aircraft spun in and crashed into a brick building or wall, and exploded.Only one crew member managed to bail out and was taken prisoner. Six men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Weissenthurm.
Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR 12532, www.usaafdata.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / Curley Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet