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name
KREK, Bailey Russell - Date of
birth
4 September 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
North Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13128441 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
578th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
18 March 1944 - Place of
death
Near Rottweil, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 31 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Bailey Krek (father)
Mary M. (Sutak) Krek (mother)
Lilian M. Krek (sister)
Russell Krek (brother)
Bessie (Haecker) Krek (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-7518 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Hard To Get
Destination: Friedrichshafen, Germany
MACR: 3323
More information
Bailey R. Krek enlisted on 25 September 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.He was married to Betz Haecker in August 1943.
Another crew member, Sgt Rankin after his return to the States and dated 25 February 1946, stated the plane took a direct hit and exploded as a result of enemy fighter attacks within two minutes after bombs away, that he believed but was not certain that 2 other crewmembers bailed out besides himself, Sgt Gyure and Davis. But that the Germans later had told him that Gyure was found still in the plane where it crashed.
Bailey Krek was buried on 22 March 1944 in the cemetery at Schramberg, county of Rottweil Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application file, www.newspapers.com - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.newspapers.com - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette