William Edward Treichler
Military
Newspaper clipping
Object Number - UPL 50973 - T/Sgt William Edward Treichler
Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. 23 x combat missions. Sole survivor Radio Operator of B-24 41-24246 'Semper Felix' exploded having released its bombs over target as a result of ground fire on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 225.
Later T/Sgt Treichler recollected: I heard the pilot say "I can't see anything" and the Bombardier calls "steady" gave corrections then "bombs away". The pilot took us down on deck and I saw Politte hit by ground fire double up. Flames flew up at me from the bomb bay tank. Fire hitting upfront pitched us violently, then we exploded. I woke up a few days later in a Romanian hospital.
Awards: DFC, AM, PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19090612 / O-730188
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Semper felix
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Soluch Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Royalton, PA | 21 November 1912 | Son of Edward Everett and Mary A [Krepps] Treichler. |
|
Enlisted |
New Cumberland, PA | 25 April 1942 | New Cumberland, Pennsylvania |
|
Other Ejected by explosion |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Survived explosion of A/C. POW. MACR 225. |
|
Other Hospitalised |
Bucharest, Romania | 1 August 1943 - 8 August 1943 | German hospital in Bucharest. Treated for flak wounds in legs and internal injuries caused by the A/C explosion. |
|
Other Hospitalised |
Romania | 8 August 1943 | Transferred to Romanian hospital. |
|
Died |
York, PA | 18 March 2011 | |
|
Buried |
Grand View Memorial Park Annville, Lebanon County, PA | 21 March 2011 | Grand View Memorial Park Annville, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania |
|
Based |
Benina | 1 August 1943 | Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. |
|
Other Prisoner Of War (POW) |
North of Bucharest | Prisoner Of War (POW). Romanian camp north of Bucharest. |
