George J Ferenchak
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Radio Operator
Waldron Crew
487th BG -836th FS
KIA 24-Dec-44
Object Number - UPL 22962 - TSGT George Ferenchak Radio Operator Waldron Crew 487th BG -836th FS KIA 24-Dec-44
Killed in Action (KIA). B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters. Exploded in air after being hit by enemy aircraft. Crashed in Belgium
AM w/ Oak Leaf Cluster
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron 838th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2058133
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot, Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 24 December 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Lehigh County, PA, USA | 23 February 1919 | |
|
Enlisted |
Wilmington, DE, USA | 12 March 1942 | |
|
Died |
Rouvreux, 4140 Sprimont, Belgium | 24 December 1944 | On December 24, 1944, the 8th Air Force launched mission #760, the largest aerial mission of the war, which involved more than 2000 heavy bombers. The mission was to bomb German airfields and supply lines, to stop the German offensive in the Ardennes known as the Battle of the Bulge. The 487th Bomb Group led the entire 8th Air Force that day. Lt Waldron's crew flew B-17G 43-38926 in the number nine position in the Low Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group formation. The Group's target was the airfield at Babenhausen, Germany, but the formation was attacked by German fighters before reaching the target. S/Sgt Ferenchak and five of his crew mates were killed in action when their aircraft was shot down by German fighters south of Liege, Belgium. Three men were blown clear and survived when the aircraft exploded in the air. The B-17 crashed near Rouvreux, Belgium, about 15 miles south of Liege. Here is the roster of the Waldron crew on December 24, 1944: |
|
Buried |
Revisions
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Ferenchak&GSfn=Ge…;
"The History of the 487th BG" - Ivo De Jong, page 197
ABMC, Roll of Honor, The History of the 487th BG Roll of Honor pp. 302-5 and account pp 197-8 MACR 11675 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/WaldronCrew.shtml
