Walter K Higgins

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Shot down 24 May 1944 in B-17 #42-31878 'Spam Can', Killed in Action (KIA).



PH



2nd Lieutenant Walter K. Higgins was born December 14, 1917. His next of kin were his wife, Mary Higgins, and his parents, Walter and Nellie Higgins. His hometown was Seattle, Washington.

On May 24, 1944, he was the pilot of “Spamcan,” B-17 tail #42-31878, of the 381st Bomb Group, 535th Bomb Squadron, when it was downed over Niendorf, Germany.

He is buried at the US Military Cemetery at St. Avold, France.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spamcan
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Seattle, Washington, USA 14 December 1917 2nd Lieutenant Walter K. Higgins was born December 14, 1917. His next of kin were his wife, Mary Higgins, and his parents, Walter and Nellie Higgins. His hometown was Seattle, Washington.

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Germany 24 May 1944 On May 24, 1944, he was the pilot of “Spamcan,” B-17 tail 42-31878, of the 381st Bomb Group, 535th Bomb Squadron, when it was downed over Niendorf, Germany.

Buried

He is buried at the US Military Cemetery at St. Avold, France.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Updated Buried event per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 56656217.
SOURCE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56656217/walter-k-higgins

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
Changes
Sources

IDPF and/or crash report researched by Bill Beigel. IDPF donated to American Air Museum by Bill Beigel. For more information about this flyer, you may contact http://ww2research.com.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

381st Bomb Group Memorial Association, March 1999, MACR 6177 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5177 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database