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Personal info

Full name
MAC KENZIE, Walter Bernard
Date of birth
18 August 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York
Hometown
Staten Island, Richmond County, New York

Military service

Service number
32436611
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
578th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 November 1943
Place of death
Uedem near Kleve, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 38 16

Immediate family

Members
Peter W. Mac Kenzie (father)
Mary I. Mac Kenzie (mother)
William A. Mac Kenzie (brother)
Mary I. Mac Kenzie (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-7490
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Big Ass Bird
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the railroad
MACR: 1163

More information

S/Sgt Walter Mac Kenzie worked in the production of beverages. He enlisted at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York, on 24 August 1942.

According to the statement of 1st Lt Robert M. Robinson the airplane was seen below the formation, in trouble. One observer reported the plane being followed down by an enemy aircraft and stated that the B-24 was in flames. In all, four parachutes were seen to open.

The airplane was shot down by Ludwig Reinbacher in a Fw 190A of JG11/1.

The entire crew of eleven was killed. According to documents in the MACR, nine of them, of which two unknowns (later concluded by U.S. authorities to be Sgts. Jeans and Perry), were buried at the parish cemetery of Uedem on 6 November 1943.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, 1930 US Census, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, 392nd Bomb Group