Sgt. Latham W. Neal attended high school for 3 years and was an airplane mechanic. He enlisted at Fort McClellan, Alabama on 6 March 1943. His daughter was only seven months when he was killed.
He was the right waist gunner on a B-17 for a bombing run to Regensburg, Germany.
The aircraft was hit by flak on course into target at 5120N-0440E while flying at 20,000 feet at 0850 hours. The aircraft appeared to be hit between #1 and #2 engines. The aircraft turned over on its back and then resumed normal flying position. It then dropped off into a spin and was seen to explode before hitting the ground. The aircraft was burning and flames were visible. It burned out in the crash and explosion of bombs, it was destroyed for 99%. Three engines burned out and one engine was found deep in the ground. Four chutes were observed. Latham was first reported as MIA but KIA as of 17 March 1945.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-n/50045-neal-latham-w
He was the right waist gunner on a B-17 for a bombing run to Regensburg, Germany.
The aircraft was hit by flak on course into target at 5120N-0440E while flying at 20,000 feet at 0850 hours. The aircraft appeared to be hit between #1 and #2 engines. The aircraft turned over on its back and then resumed normal flying position. It then dropped off into a spin and was seen to explode before hitting the ground. The aircraft was burning and flames were visible. It burned out in the crash and explosion of bombs, it was destroyed for 99%. Three engines burned out and one engine was found deep in the ground. Four chutes were observed. Latham was first reported as MIA but KIA as of 17 March 1945.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-n/50045-neal-latham-w
Sgt. Latham W. Neal attended high school for 3 years and was an airplane mechanic. He enlisted at Fort McClellan, Alabama on 6 March 1943. His daughter was only seven months when he was killed.
He was the right waist gunner on a B-17 for a bombing run to Regensburg, Germany.
The aircraft was hit by flak on course into target at 5120N-0440E while flying at 20,000 feet at 0850 hours. The aircraft appeared to be hit between #1 and #2 engines. The aircraft turned over on its back and then resumed normal flying position. It then dropped off into a spin and was seen to explode before hitting the ground. The aircraft was burning and flames were visible. It burned out in the crash and explosion of bombs, it was destroyed for 99%. Three engines burned out and one engine was found deep in the ground. Four chutes were observed. Latham was first reported as MIA but KIA as of 17 March 1945.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-n/50045-neal-latham-w
He was the right waist gunner on a B-17 for a bombing run to Regensburg, Germany.
The aircraft was hit by flak on course into target at 5120N-0440E while flying at 20,000 feet at 0850 hours. The aircraft appeared to be hit between #1 and #2 engines. The aircraft turned over on its back and then resumed normal flying position. It then dropped off into a spin and was seen to explode before hitting the ground. The aircraft was burning and flames were visible. It burned out in the crash and explosion of bombs, it was destroyed for 99%. Three engines burned out and one engine was found deep in the ground. Four chutes were observed. Latham was first reported as MIA but KIA as of 17 March 1945.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-n/50045-neal-latham-w
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Alabama.
Family Members
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