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