Walter Ernest Hermenau

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-44564.png UPL 44564 Walter Hermenau’s Dog Tag from page 5 of German KU-1575 report at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/139544922 (NARA)

Added Collection name

Object Number - UPL 44564 - Walter Hermenau’s Dog Tag from page 5 of German KU-1575 report at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/139544922 (NARA)

S/Sgt Walter E. Hermenau, Tail gunner of the B-17 42-37890 “Rovin' Ramona II"/"Big Friend", took off on 20 April 1944 from station 153 Framlingham, UK on a bombing mission over Cherbourg’s V1 launch pad. The plane was hit by flak at 18:57 just after dropping its bombs. It spun out of formation with a wing and an engine on fire. It exploded in mid-flight, spreading debris over three townships. Those killed were found in Brix, near Valognes, France. Hermenau was thrown from the plane by the explosion, without a parachute. Killed In Action (KIA).

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12037589
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13081862 at enlistment, then O-756939
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36398334
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14068980 at enlistment, then O-677820
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13118691
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rovin’ romona ii/big friend
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 20 April 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States 14 November 1923

Enlisted

27 October 1942 Boston, Massachusetts

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Brix, near Valognes, France 20 April 1944 In the crash of B-17 #42-37890 Brix, 6km NW of Valognes, 20km SE of Cherbourg, France

Buried

24 April 1944 at the English cemetery in Cherbourg, France
Vineyard Havens, Duke County, Massachusetts

Buried

after the war, his remains were brought back to the USA. Walter Hermenau rests at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Tisbury, Massachusetts

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 4169
NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/182774462/walter-a_-hermenau

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 4169

Date
ContributorMichelbe
Changes
Sources

Michel Beckers WW2CRASHSITERESEARCH

Date
ContributorMichelbe
Changes
Sources

Michel Beckers WW2CRASHSITERESEARCH

Date
ContributorMichelbe
Changes
Sources

Michel Beckers WW2CRASHSITERESEARCH

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4169 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Walter Ernest Hermenau: Gallery (2 items)