Missing SSGT Kasch, Wallace E. – 35895845
Wallace E. Kasch – 35895845 is a World War II Missing in Action (MIA) Staff Sergeant whose name is engraved at the Tablets of the Missing at World War II Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial in The Netherlands. His name is adopted by Tino Dam, Study Group Missing Soldier board member.
About SSGT Kasch – 35895845
| Name: Kasch, Wallace E. |
| Initials: Wallace Edward |
| Rank: Staff Sergeant (SSGT), Tail Gunner |
| Service number: 35895845 |
| Status: Missing in Action (MIA) |
| Missing since: April 8, 1945 |
| Unit: 8th Air Force, 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy |
| Commemorated: Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial |
| Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart |
| Adopted by: Tino Dam, Study Group Missing Soldier board member |
Circumstances
The B-17G (44-8811) aircraft crashed approximately 112 miles west of Frankfurt, Germany. The aircraft carried 9 man of which 8 returned. The only one missing was SSGT Kasch.
Statement of Waste Gunner John McFarlane, 16177076;
We just turned off the bomb run and were heading away from the target. The tail gunner reported flak at 6 o’clock and three. He said it was not near enough to worry about, then there was a loud explosion and I felt a strong wind blow up through the waist. One of the windows had broken so I looked for flak damage there first. Then I looked back at the tail. There wasn’t anything there but a large hole. The tail gunner was no longer there as the complete tail section from the escape hatch back had been blown away. I couldn’t see whether he had a chance to use his chute or not. I don’t believe he did.
Aircraft data
Serial number: 44-8811
Type: B-17G
Target: Derbin, Germany
Mission: Bombing
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR): 13869
Family
Father: Edward Kasch
Mother: Hulda Kasch
Sister: Eunice M. Kasch
Grandfather: Helmut Kasch
Grandmother: Emma Kasch
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