Willis Samuel Lutz was the 12th of 14 children. He had a fun personality, was soft spoken and very kind. He joined the Army Air Corps.
Willis flew as a radio operator and gunner in the 375th Bomb Guard/512th Bomb Squad on the Wongo Wongo! (exclamation mark is part of the nickname). It was August 1, 1943 when they were sent on a mission to Ploesti, Romania. The 376th Bomb Guard was leading the formation and Uncle Willis's pilot, 1st Lt Brian Flavelle flew the lead B24 Liberator (Wongo Wongo!). They were off the coast of Albania when Wongo's wings wobbled. Flavelle made a steeply banked turn and the bomber went into a dive. At 100 feet he attempted to pull out, but went into a tight spiral and dove into the sea. The entire crew perished.
This is my Uncle Willis' memorial, along with his crew members of the Wongo Wongo!
1st Lt Brian W. Flavelle, pilot
2nd Lt John C. Ryan, copilot
1st Lt Robert F. Wilson, navigator
1st Lt. Jack B. Lanning, bombardier
T/Sgt Willis S. Lutz, radio operator (first man kneeling on the left)
S/Sgt John H. Cleveland, engineer
S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden, gunner
S/Sgt Melick J. Janacek, tail gunner
Sgt Sander Lazar, gunner/photographer
All gone, but not forgotten. God bless those who are currently serving and who have served this great country.
Willis flew as a radio operator and gunner in the 375th Bomb Guard/512th Bomb Squad on the Wongo Wongo! (exclamation mark is part of the nickname). It was August 1, 1943 when they were sent on a mission to Ploesti, Romania. The 376th Bomb Guard was leading the formation and Uncle Willis's pilot, 1st Lt Brian Flavelle flew the lead B24 Liberator (Wongo Wongo!). They were off the coast of Albania when Wongo's wings wobbled. Flavelle made a steeply banked turn and the bomber went into a dive. At 100 feet he attempted to pull out, but went into a tight spiral and dove into the sea. The entire crew perished.
This is my Uncle Willis' memorial, along with his crew members of the Wongo Wongo!
1st Lt Brian W. Flavelle, pilot
2nd Lt John C. Ryan, copilot
1st Lt Robert F. Wilson, navigator
1st Lt. Jack B. Lanning, bombardier
T/Sgt Willis S. Lutz, radio operator (first man kneeling on the left)
S/Sgt John H. Cleveland, engineer
S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden, gunner
S/Sgt Melick J. Janacek, tail gunner
Sgt Sander Lazar, gunner/photographer
All gone, but not forgotten. God bless those who are currently serving and who have served this great country.
Willis Samuel Lutz was the 12th of 14 children. He had a fun personality, was soft spoken and very kind. He joined the Army Air Corps.
Willis flew as a radio operator and gunner in the 375th Bomb Guard/512th Bomb Squad on the Wongo Wongo! (exclamation mark is part of the nickname). It was August 1, 1943 when they were sent on a mission to Ploesti, Romania. The 376th Bomb Guard was leading the formation and Uncle Willis's pilot, 1st Lt Brian Flavelle flew the lead B24 Liberator (Wongo Wongo!). They were off the coast of Albania when Wongo's wings wobbled. Flavelle made a steeply banked turn and the bomber went into a dive. At 100 feet he attempted to pull out, but went into a tight spiral and dove into the sea. The entire crew perished.
This is my Uncle Willis' memorial, along with his crew members of the Wongo Wongo!
1st Lt Brian W. Flavelle, pilot
2nd Lt John C. Ryan, copilot
1st Lt Robert F. Wilson, navigator
1st Lt. Jack B. Lanning, bombardier
T/Sgt Willis S. Lutz, radio operator (first man kneeling on the left)
S/Sgt John H. Cleveland, engineer
S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden, gunner
S/Sgt Melick J. Janacek, tail gunner
Sgt Sander Lazar, gunner/photographer
All gone, but not forgotten. God bless those who are currently serving and who have served this great country.
Willis flew as a radio operator and gunner in the 375th Bomb Guard/512th Bomb Squad on the Wongo Wongo! (exclamation mark is part of the nickname). It was August 1, 1943 when they were sent on a mission to Ploesti, Romania. The 376th Bomb Guard was leading the formation and Uncle Willis's pilot, 1st Lt Brian Flavelle flew the lead B24 Liberator (Wongo Wongo!). They were off the coast of Albania when Wongo's wings wobbled. Flavelle made a steeply banked turn and the bomber went into a dive. At 100 feet he attempted to pull out, but went into a tight spiral and dove into the sea. The entire crew perished.
This is my Uncle Willis' memorial, along with his crew members of the Wongo Wongo!
1st Lt Brian W. Flavelle, pilot
2nd Lt John C. Ryan, copilot
1st Lt Robert F. Wilson, navigator
1st Lt. Jack B. Lanning, bombardier
T/Sgt Willis S. Lutz, radio operator (first man kneeling on the left)
S/Sgt John H. Cleveland, engineer
S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden, gunner
S/Sgt Melick J. Janacek, tail gunner
Sgt Sander Lazar, gunner/photographer
All gone, but not forgotten. God bless those who are currently serving and who have served this great country.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Oregon.
Family Members
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