S-Sgt. Willard Vander Maaten Killed In Plane Crash While On China Mission
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Vander Maaten received a telegram from the War department Thursday morning bearing the sad notification that their son, S/Sgt Willard E. Vander Maaten, previously reported missing in action, was killed in action over China May 12th, 1945.
Willard was born on the farm north of Alton August 18, 1926, when reported missing he had not reached his 20th birthday.
He was inducted Dec. 2, 1943 at Ft. Leavenworth, and assigned to the Air Forces. He had training at Amarillo and Laredo, Texas and was stationed at Lincoln, Nebr. and Tucson, Ariz., Topeka, Kansas and Langley Field, Va. receiving during this time two 7-day furloughs. He flew from March Field, New York Jan. 22, 1945 to the air base in China where he was stationed.
He was acting as top turret gunner and assistant radioman on a B-24 bomber, when the crew left on the mission from which none returned. They were on a single plane sortie, so that no one saw the plane crash.
It was rumored that five of the crew were Jap prisoners, but the Army authorities never so stated.
The bombardier's wife, Mrs. E. S. Majchriak of Dearborn, had her U.S. senator investigate the circumstances and no confirmation was found that any of the crew were prisoners.
Before Willard was inducted he assisted his father on the farm and worked for a short time at the Foreman-Skelly station.
He had previously applied for enlistment in the Marine Corps, but was rejected and entered the army under selective service.
He was a fine young fellow and many friends sympathize with the family.
Surviving are his parents, now residing southwest of Orange City, two sisters and a brother, namely, Mrs. Norman B. Brink of Alton, Frank of Maurice and Lois at home.
Alton Democrat 1946-01-17.
S-Sgt. Willard Vander Maaten Killed In Plane Crash While On China Mission
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Vander Maaten received a telegram from the War department Thursday morning bearing the sad notification that their son, S/Sgt Willard E. Vander Maaten, previously reported missing in action, was killed in action over China May 12th, 1945.
Willard was born on the farm north of Alton August 18, 1926, when reported missing he had not reached his 20th birthday.
He was inducted Dec. 2, 1943 at Ft. Leavenworth, and assigned to the Air Forces. He had training at Amarillo and Laredo, Texas and was stationed at Lincoln, Nebr. and Tucson, Ariz., Topeka, Kansas and Langley Field, Va. receiving during this time two 7-day furloughs. He flew from March Field, New York Jan. 22, 1945 to the air base in China where he was stationed.
He was acting as top turret gunner and assistant radioman on a B-24 bomber, when the crew left on the mission from which none returned. They were on a single plane sortie, so that no one saw the plane crash.
It was rumored that five of the crew were Jap prisoners, but the Army authorities never so stated.
The bombardier's wife, Mrs. E. S. Majchriak of Dearborn, had her U.S. senator investigate the circumstances and no confirmation was found that any of the crew were prisoners.
Before Willard was inducted he assisted his father on the farm and worked for a short time at the Foreman-Skelly station.
He had previously applied for enlistment in the Marine Corps, but was rejected and entered the army under selective service.
He was a fine young fellow and many friends sympathize with the family.
Surviving are his parents, now residing southwest of Orange City, two sisters and a brother, namely, Mrs. Norman B. Brink of Alton, Frank of Maurice and Lois at home.
Alton Democrat 1946-01-17.
Inscription
SSGT, 373 AAF BOMB SQ WORLD WAR II
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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1930 United States Federal Census
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1940 United States Federal Census
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Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940
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U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995
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Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files for Beneficiaries, 1947-1959
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