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name
WILD, Charles Jay Jr - Date of
birth
2 December 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33575970 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
326th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Merseburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 24 | 44 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles J. Wild Sr. (father)
Grace L. (McLaughlin) Wild (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38290 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Canvas Back IV
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil plant
MACR: 8887
More information
S/Sgt Charles J. Wild Jr. was a musician and a music teacher he enlisted in Altoona, Pennsylvania on 16 March 1943.1st Lt William M Sage:
This C.B.W. was first attacked by E/A just before, during and after bombs away. In the process of making a second run on the primary target the formation became loose. The E/A attacks further broke up the formation. Just at bombs away approximately 15 E/A identified as mixed FW 190’s and ME 109’s jumped the lead group. Attacks by these E/A were in the elements of 3 abreast from 6 o’clock level to high firing 20 mm shells. These attacks lasted about 10-15 minutes. On passing this group they looped and dived down on the low group. Seven E/A dived on the low group from 7 o’clock high making due pass in echelons before breaking off their attack. The high group was not attacked until immediately before the rally point at 1215 hours.
S/Sgt Chester S. Hinds:
He was killed in the explosion by a direct burst of flak.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – Michael V Drachman
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Furqueron B / SueMac