USAAF 1LT Dale C Detjens, killed in World War II, remains unaccounted-for.
1st Lt Dale C. Detjens attended 1 year of college before he joined the Regular Army in Antigo, Wisconsin on 24 June 1942.
First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens joined the U.S. Army Air Forces from Wisconsin and served with the 574th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group (Medium). He was the pilot of this B-26 when it crashed and is the sole crew member still missing from the incident.
On December 23, 1944, a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-35010) carrying six crew members took off from Roye-Amy Airfield in France for a bombing mission against a railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. As the formation began its run over the target, the B-26's formation was attacked by fifty to seventy-five enemy fighters. The B-26 was hit by enemy fire, and was last seen in a steep, spinning dive just outside of Ahrweiler. Two of the aircraft's crew survived the crash, were taken as prisoners of war, and eventually returned to duty. Three crew members died in the crash and were buried by locals. One crew member was not found and remains missing following the incident.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as Armorer-Gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No, 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens, received most of the fire. He dropped out formation and began to lose altitude. No. 3 position, piloted by Lt Donnelly, left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flk because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown's aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no chutes from any of the mentioned aircraft."
After the war, Army Graves Registration Service personnel located the wreckage of the aircraft but could not locate 1st Lt Detjens' remains. He is still unaccounted-for. Today First Lieutenant Detjens is memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
For his service and sacrifice, Dale's parents accepted his awards and decorations including:
- Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Purple Heart
U.S. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens is memorialized within the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. His name is permanently inscribed among the Tablets of the Missing.
Lt Detjens is also remembered at the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin (69238944, cenotaph).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
American Battle Monuments Commission
Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
1st Lt Dale C. Detjens attended 1 year of college before he joined the Regular Army in Antigo, Wisconsin on 24 June 1942.
First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens joined the U.S. Army Air Forces from Wisconsin and served with the 574th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group (Medium). He was the pilot of this B-26 when it crashed and is the sole crew member still missing from the incident.
On December 23, 1944, a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-35010) carrying six crew members took off from Roye-Amy Airfield in France for a bombing mission against a railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. As the formation began its run over the target, the B-26's formation was attacked by fifty to seventy-five enemy fighters. The B-26 was hit by enemy fire, and was last seen in a steep, spinning dive just outside of Ahrweiler. Two of the aircraft's crew survived the crash, were taken as prisoners of war, and eventually returned to duty. Three crew members died in the crash and were buried by locals. One crew member was not found and remains missing following the incident.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as Armorer-Gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No, 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens, received most of the fire. He dropped out formation and began to lose altitude. No. 3 position, piloted by Lt Donnelly, left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flk because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown's aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no chutes from any of the mentioned aircraft."
After the war, Army Graves Registration Service personnel located the wreckage of the aircraft but could not locate 1st Lt Detjens' remains. He is still unaccounted-for. Today First Lieutenant Detjens is memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
For his service and sacrifice, Dale's parents accepted his awards and decorations including:
- Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Purple Heart
U.S. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens is memorialized within the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. His name is permanently inscribed among the Tablets of the Missing.
Lt Detjens is also remembered at the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin (69238944, cenotaph).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
American Battle Monuments Commission
Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
USAAF 1LT Dale C Detjens, killed in World War II, remains unaccounted-for.
1st Lt Dale C. Detjens attended 1 year of college before he joined the Regular Army in Antigo, Wisconsin on 24 June 1942.
First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens joined the U.S. Army Air Forces from Wisconsin and served with the 574th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group (Medium). He was the pilot of this B-26 when it crashed and is the sole crew member still missing from the incident.
On December 23, 1944, a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-35010) carrying six crew members took off from Roye-Amy Airfield in France for a bombing mission against a railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. As the formation began its run over the target, the B-26's formation was attacked by fifty to seventy-five enemy fighters. The B-26 was hit by enemy fire, and was last seen in a steep, spinning dive just outside of Ahrweiler. Two of the aircraft's crew survived the crash, were taken as prisoners of war, and eventually returned to duty. Three crew members died in the crash and were buried by locals. One crew member was not found and remains missing following the incident.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as Armorer-Gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No, 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens, received most of the fire. He dropped out formation and began to lose altitude. No. 3 position, piloted by Lt Donnelly, left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flk because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown's aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no chutes from any of the mentioned aircraft."
After the war, Army Graves Registration Service personnel located the wreckage of the aircraft but could not locate 1st Lt Detjens' remains. He is still unaccounted-for. Today First Lieutenant Detjens is memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
For his service and sacrifice, Dale's parents accepted his awards and decorations including:
- Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Purple Heart
U.S. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens is memorialized within the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. His name is permanently inscribed among the Tablets of the Missing.
Lt Detjens is also remembered at the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin (69238944, cenotaph).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
American Battle Monuments Commission
Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
1st Lt Dale C. Detjens attended 1 year of college before he joined the Regular Army in Antigo, Wisconsin on 24 June 1942.
First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens joined the U.S. Army Air Forces from Wisconsin and served with the 574th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group (Medium). He was the pilot of this B-26 when it crashed and is the sole crew member still missing from the incident.
On December 23, 1944, a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-35010) carrying six crew members took off from Roye-Amy Airfield in France for a bombing mission against a railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. As the formation began its run over the target, the B-26's formation was attacked by fifty to seventy-five enemy fighters. The B-26 was hit by enemy fire, and was last seen in a steep, spinning dive just outside of Ahrweiler. Two of the aircraft's crew survived the crash, were taken as prisoners of war, and eventually returned to duty. Three crew members died in the crash and were buried by locals. One crew member was not found and remains missing following the incident.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as Armorer-Gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No, 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens, received most of the fire. He dropped out formation and began to lose altitude. No. 3 position, piloted by Lt Donnelly, left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flk because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown's aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no chutes from any of the mentioned aircraft."
After the war, Army Graves Registration Service personnel located the wreckage of the aircraft but could not locate 1st Lt Detjens' remains. He is still unaccounted-for. Today First Lieutenant Detjens is memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
For his service and sacrifice, Dale's parents accepted his awards and decorations including:
- Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Purple Heart
U.S. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Dale C. Detjens is memorialized within the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. His name is permanently inscribed among the Tablets of the Missing.
Lt Detjens is also remembered at the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin (69238944, cenotaph).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
American Battle Monuments Commission
Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
Inscription
DETJENS DALE C • 1 LT • 574 BOMB SQ 391 BOMB GP (M) • WISCONSIN
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