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name
WETZEL, Hugh L - Date of
birth
18 January 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York -
Hometown
Middlesex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-693440 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
563rd Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1944 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 15 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Julius Wetzel (father)
Helen Wetzel (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30808 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Mission: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 3541
More information
2nd Lt Hugh L. Wetzel graduated from South River High School and attended Rutgers University.Killed on 3rd mission in Europe.
Lt. Filler in a/c 42-30808, was hit by enemy fighters east of Quakenbruck. With #1 engine on fire, the crew bailed out with one chute failing to open. The POW's were in Stalag I. Due to cloud coverage in the target area, Brunswick was bombed by PFF methods, on the flares of the PFF a/c of the lead groups in the wing. Bombs were away at 1040 hours from 20,000 feet. Strike photos show that the bombs hit north of the city.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch
Photo source: Jac Engels, Michel Beckers, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-I Pampa Texas