Wilbur Charles Lantz
Military
Pilot
340th BG - 487th BS - 12th AF
Object Number - UPL 55659 - Wilbur Charles Lantz Pilot 340th BG - 487th BS - 12th AF
The missions listed in this bio do not represent his complete combat mission record.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Advanced Landing Ground Alesanie
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New Palestine, Indiana | 14 May 1920 | |
| New Palestine, Indiana | 1 July 1941 | ||
|
Enlisted |
Indianapolis, Indiana | 3 February 1942 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Pietra Santa, Italy | 27 May 1944 | 539 7D |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Ferrara, Italy | 15 July 1944 | 43-4074 7C |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Parma, Italy | 21 August 1944 | 43-4065 7X |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Cittadella, Italy | 31 August 1944 | 43-4065 7X |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Tortona, Itlay | 13 September 1944 | 066 7W |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Ronco Scrivia, Italy | 15 September 1944 | 510 7F |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Bologna, Italy | 16 September 1944 | 43-27531 7R |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Rimini, Italy | 17 September 1944 | 43-4065 7X |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Cuittadella, Italy | 30 September 1944 | 478 7J |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Casalecchio, Italy | 12 October 1944 | 541 7B |
|
Other Combat Mission/Wounded In Action |
Magenta, Italy | 19 October 1944 | This afternoon at 13:45 hours fifteen ships of this Squadron took off to again attack Magenta railroad bridge in Northern Italy. Anti-aircraft fire was one of the heaviest barrages yet seen by many of the combat crew members. Five ships were holed, three men were slightly wounded and Lt. Meek, Copilot on 7Z was killed. However, Lt. Lantz brought the ship back to the base with his Co-pilot dead and three wounded men aboard. This was our second loss in combat since coming to Corsica, but regardless of how few the losses are they always throw the Squadron into a turmoil. Lt. Bloomberg was wounded for the second time on this mission and is ready to quit flying right now. Lt. Lantz and Sgt. Trudell were the others who were slightly wounded |
|
Died |
New Palestine, Indiana | 10 March 2005 | Mr. Lantz was a farmer. He was a member of American Legion Post 119, a 50-year member of New Palestine Masonic Lodge, F&AM # 404, charter member of New Palestine Lions Club and a member of the Shriners Motorcycle Drill Team. Mr. Lantz was New Palestine school board president 16 years and school board trustee and had served on the Hancock County Council. Mr. Lantz was an Army Air Corps second lieutenant, having served in World War II as a B-52 bomber pilot. He flew 70 missions in the European Theatre. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Memorial contributions may be maked to the Alzheimers Association or the United Methodist Church. |
|
Buried |
New Palestine, Indiana | 14 March 2005 | New Palestine Cemetery New Palestine, Hancock County, Indiana, USA |
Revisions
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
