WILLIAM JAMES
FITZPATRICK b. June 9, 1917 Detroit d. May
8, 1944
Killed in Action Lindhorst, Germany
1st Lt
O-747386 Army Air Force 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squad
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| 16574 Blackstone |
Buried: Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit
Parents: Leo Alphomsus & Grace (Dagwell)
Siblings: Catherine, Edward
Roland, Harry, Leo Jr., Grace, Barbara
Spouse: Loretta Dorothy Dupont
Child: Mary Jo
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| 14634 Rosemont |
Parents Leo and Grace came from Northern
Michigan – Au Sable and Indian River. He was a wholesale lumber salesman. Grace
died in the flu epidemic of 1918 and Leo married her sister, Jane Elizabeth.
They first lived in Redford Township in the 1920’s, but Redford Twp was
primarily rural so streets aren’t identified on the census; Jane is identified
as sister-in-law and they had a live in maid. By 1930 the family was at 6574 Blackstone,
then were at 14634 Rosemont.
The census data names him James. His
military info is James William. Redford designates him Wm James. All other info
indicates they are the same person.
William James graduated May 1934 and later
worked at the Ford Rouge Plant. He enlisted in 1939 at 5’11” 192 lbs with hazel
eyes and brown hair. Then in 1941 he transferred to the Air Corps. Marriage
followed in July 1942 in California to Loretta Dorothy Dupont. He received his
wings at Marsa Field, Marsa, Tx. March 12, 1944 they had a daughter, Mary Jo, that he likely never met. Loretta remarried in 1946.
In this case I found a wonderfully
documented family tree on line which contained great photos and information.
On May 8, 1944 Lt Fitzpatrick and the crew
of B-17G-30-DL #42-38190 left their base at Snetterton Heath, England for a bombing
mission to Berlin. According to the casualty interrogation form, enemy fighter
fire blew up the ship in mid-air at Lindhorst, Germany. T/Sgt Swift baled out
and was captured in Hustedt with flak wounds to a leg and lungs. 9 members of
the crew went down without a chance to bail out. Later saw unidentifiable
remains scattered on the ground.
The casualties were first buried in Sülze
Cemetery near Diesten. Later all were reinterred in the Ardennes Cemetery and
four remain buied there. Five were returned for burial in the States. A service
was held at Christ the King Church in Detroit on June 15, 1949 for Lt.
Fitzpatrick who was buried at Grand Lawn Cemetery. He received an Air Medal
with 2 Oak Clusters and a Purple Heart.
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| Fitzpatrick Crew |
There is a video on training in a B-17; it
uses several familiar actors:
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