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name
MERKLE, Joseph Philip - Date of
birth
20 September 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Baltimore County, Maryland -
Hometown
Brentwood, Prince George's County, Maryland
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-745454 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 February 1944 - Place of
death
Near Burghausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 4 | 79 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Leo J. Merkle (father)
Rena M. Merkle (mother)
Catherine M. Merkle (sister)
Evelyn B. Merkle (sister)
Martha M. Merkle (sister)
Rose M. Merkle (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-64483 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Regensburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 2727
More information
2nd Lt Joseph P. Merkle was a clerk before he volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Washington, District of Colombia on 20 December 1941.Statement from 1st Lt. Arnold M. Hanssen, Operation Officer: "On combat mission of February 22nd 1944 at approximately 15 minutes before reaching target, the formation was attacked by forty ME-110s, JU 88s and ME 410. Due to the battle that followed, together with the anti-aircraft fire which was accurate at the same time, the observation of the loss of Aircraft No. 483, piloted by 2nd Lt. Joseph P. Merkle could not be determined. It is believed, from interrogation of crews, that the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of target from attack or enemy pursuit hits. Parachutes were observed to open from two of our aircraft, but the ships could not be identified as being the one in question."
Ten crew members were killed, only one survived and was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / L Mullings Family Tree / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.44.html
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Jeff Giambrone