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Operation: Roadblock at Covigliaio Italy
Date: 23rd August 1944 (Wednesday)
Unit: No. 444th Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force
Type: B-26G Marauder "Pancho and His Reever Rats"
Serial: 43-34240
Code: 97
Base: USAAF Decimomannu, Sardinia
Location: Firenzuola, Italy
Pilot: 1st Lt. Wilbert L. Weier 0-688882 USAAF Age 25. Killed
Co-Pilot: Flt O William H Hallenbeck T-062069 USAAF Killed
Bmr: Sgt. Joseph B. Betenjany 32337357 USAAF Killed
Radio/Gnr: S/Sgt. Ray T. Ivey, 34447308 USAAF Killed
Eng: S/Sgt. Albert A. Giuffre 32145242 USAAF PoW Stalag 7A
Gnr: Sgt. Walter E. Kadel 32741967 USAAF Killed
Photographer/Gnr: S/Sgt. Hilary R. Yavorosky 31186876 USAAF Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Lost due to Flak over target. It was last seen at 10:05 hours at 44°05’ North/11°22’ East with fire enveloping the right engine and bomb bay. Three/four chutes were seen to emerge, and the aircraft exploded in mid-air at about 1,000’.
Only survivor S/Sgt. Albert Giuffre, bailed out successfully and taken PoW. The others were declared Missed in Action (MIA) and later Killed in Action (KIA).
Above and below: B-26G Marauder "Pancho and His Reever Rats"
Burial details:
1st Lt. Wilbert L. Weier. Clinton Grove Cemetery Clemens, Michigan USA. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
Flt O William H Hallenbeck. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
Sgt. Joseph B. Betenjany. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
S/Sgt. Ray T. Ivey. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
S/Sgt. Albert A. Giuffre. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
Sgt. Walter E. Kadel. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
Photographer/Gnr: S/Sgt. Hilary R. Yavorosky. Florence American Cemetery Italy. No further details - are you able to add to this record?
Researcher Michel Beckers for Aircrew Remembered - April 2017. With thanks to Frank Snakter for B26 photographs, remainder from the Michel Beckers collection.
MB 04.04.2017
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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