William Harold Keskey

Military

Shot down 5 April 1943 in B-17 #41-24465 'Montana Power'. Initially evaded with the help of Dutch, Belgian and French individuals, he was arrested in Bordeaux, France on 18 June 1943, trapped in the net of Belgian traitor Prosper De Zitter, working for the Gestapo. Prisoner of War (POW) in Stalag 17B.

See William Keskey's page at the Belgian COMET evasion network website: http://www.evasioncomete.be/fkeskeywh.html

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34258894
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14071743
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Lieutenant Alexander Kramarinko of the 303rd Bomb Group with the engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: '"Good Old Chi-Town". Lt. Alexander Kramarinko of the Air Corps used to be in the Swiss Dairy Bar at Haywood, Illinois. He lived with his parents at 1931 Potomac Avenue, Chicago andhis fieancee is Miss Jean Neuman at 323 Tremont Ave. Kenmore, N.Y. His very inclusive message is "Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to Good old Chi-Town." O.P.S. sho
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16035409 and O-661851
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39826025
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11021749 and O-732757
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Montana Power
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Michigan, United States 19 February 1923

Enlisted

Wausau, Wisconsin, United States 13 November 1941 as a Private in the Air Corps

Other

Evaded

Belgium and France 5 April 1943 - 18 June 1943 Initially evaded capture, helped by Dutch, Belgian and French individuals. Caught in a trap by the Gestapo in Bordeaux, France, 18 June 1943.

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Braunau-Gneikendorf, near Krems, Austria 18 June 1943 Arrested in Bordeux, France on 18 June 1943. Interned at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf, near Krems, Austria - NARA WWII POW records : "Returned to Military control 12/06/1945"

Died

Wisconsin, USA 4 June 1957 died of injuries from a car accident
Wakefield, Gogebic County, Michigan, United States

Buried

Wausau, Wisconsin, USA Pine Grove Cemetery

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Updated link to his page at www.evasioncomete.be

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added Died and Buried events per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 158728459.
Removed a space in the "Summary biography" for readability.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Corrected last name, added middle name

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15533 / MACR 15533, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey pp. 99-100, First Over Germany by Russell Strong pp. 81-82, NARA / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database