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Personal info

Full name
FUXA, Ernest Clarence
Date of birth
22 January 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
unknown
Hometown
Bison, Garfield County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
18194853
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
68th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 October 1944
Place of death
3 km west of Middelburg on Walcheren Island, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
B 12 12

Immediate family

Members
John A. Fuxa (father)
Mary C. Fuxa (mother)
Henry Fuxa (brother)
Virgil Fuxa (brother)
Evelyn Fuxa (sister)
Bennie Fuxa (brother)
Louise Fuxa (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-50596
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Flak Magnet
Destination: Leverkusen, Germany
MACR: 9654

More information

Ernest Fuxa graduated from Wackomis High School and attended Phillips University.

He was sent overseas in August 1944.

At 13:30 hours, flak batteries shot off the tail of the B-24 (B-24J 42-50596, "Flak Magnet") which crashed near the casements at Buttinge, 3 Kilometers west of Middelburg on Walcheren Island, Holland. On return, the formation broke its integrity near Brussels where a cloud layer, building up to 28,000 feet, was encountered. Byron Davis' body was found in the water near Buttinge. The Island of Walcheren was inundated at that time, and only the higher lying parts (mostly centers) of the village were still dry. The Liberator must have crashed on inundated territory, which may explain the loss of bodies.

Analyzing the burial details in the Casualty Report, they concluded that Dolan, Davis and Fuxa were recovered and buried in Grijpskerke and Middelburg in October, December and April. It has been recorded that Davis' body was floating in the water and it is likely to accept that this was also valid for Dolan and Fuxa.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Carla Mans, www.greenharbor.com, MACR 9654, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / 1930/1940 Census

Photo source: Michel Beckers / Jim Hamilton 44thbg, www.ancestry.com - Public Member Photos, Jaap Vermeer - The Oklahoma Hornet - 11 January 1945/Hennessey Clipper - 16 November 1944