Werner William Birkelbach

Military

On 01 July 1941 Werner registered for the draft. He was listed as 5' 8", and weighed 142 pounds. He had blue eyes, brown hair and had a light complexion.

On 26 August 1941 Werner entered the service as a Private in the Air Corps from Lubbock, Texas (Service Number 18 036 976). He had two years of high school education, was single, without dependents and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Semiskilled welders and flame cutters".

We have Flight Officer Birkelbach listed on the 437th TCG Special Orders #195, dated 27 December 1943. These were the orders generated at Pope Field (Fort Bragg, NC) for the first phase of movement by air and by rail of the 437th personnel to their eventual overseas deployment.

We have him listed on orders as participating on one 437th flight: Mission DETROIT on 06 June 1944; he was a Flight Officer, Service Number T-060 894. There is a mini-biography of Werner in the book: "World War II Glider Pilots", published in 1991, by the Turner Publishing Company. That bio indicates he also participated in the Market-Garden operation in Holland in September 1944 (The 'Bridge Too Far').

He was listed in Frank Guild's book: 'Journey to the Far Shore' as a 1949 member of the 84th TCS; he was a member of the 437th TCG Association, was listed on their rosters from 1972 until 2004 and attended several reunions.

In the 437th TCG Association newsletter of October 1981, Werner and his wife are identified as recently visiting Holland, France and England

Connections

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Units served with

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

27 April 1920

Died

18 May 2003

Revisions

Date
Contributorjaxticotribute
Changes
Sources

Added birth and death dates from 'Findagrave'

Date
Contributorjaxticotribute
Changes
Sources

Draft Registration
NARA AAD
Findagrave
Separation Papers
Mission Orders
437th TCG Special Orders #195
437th TCG Association Reunion Books
Frank Guild’s book: ‘A Journey to the Far Shore’