Soester, Wilbur Leroy

Individual Personnel Data
Name Soester, Wilbur Leroy   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-757316   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #134 dated 11 July 1944, effective 11 July 1944.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 17 September 1944
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 7 October 1920
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 10197⇓ (7.749 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Soester, Wilbur LeroyPilotPOW
2nd Lt. Grabon, Daniel Stanley⇗Co-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Schold, George Bertie, Jr⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Fisher, Earl Wellington, Jr⇗BombardierCT
SGT. Wilhelm, Robert Frederick⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Pavlos, Nickolas Manuel⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
CPL. Schmeller, Thomas Raymond⇗Ball Turret GunnerKIA
SGT. Kelsey, Donald Edward⇗Tail GunnerCT
PVT. Norstrom, John Julius⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 19 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
162⇗ 20 July 1944 Target: Aircraft Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑37822⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑97263. Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
163⇗ 21 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany 		Co-pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
164⇗ 24 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group.
Sortie Report⇗
165⇗ 25 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Le Châtel,
& La Chapelle en Juger, France 		Pilot 42‑37788⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
166⇗ 28 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
167⇗ 29 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38208⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section deputy, high group, 41st B wing.
Sortie Report⇗
170⇗ 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
I Group.
Sortie Report⇗
171⇗ 4 August 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
173⇗ 5 August 1944 Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Langenhagen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
174⇗ 7 August 1944 Target: Aircraft Fuel Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dugny (Paris), France 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
176⇗ 9 August 1944 Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Erding, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
179⇗ 13 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Road Network
Type: Transportation
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger (area), France 		Pilot 43‑37990⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
180⇗ 14 August 1944 Target: Echterdingen Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Stuttgart, Germany 		Pilot 44‑8011⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
182⇗ 18 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Vise, Belgium 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group deputy and hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
187⇗ 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 44‑8011⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
190⇗ 9 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group deputy. Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
191⇗ 10 September 1944 Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Sindelfingen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97824⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
194⇗ 13 September 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102449⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
195⇗ 17 September 1944 Target: Tank and Gun Concentrations, Tactical
Type: Military
Location: Eindhoven & 's‑Hertogenbosch (den Bosch), The Netherlands 		Co-pilot 44‑8011⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
F Squadron lead. At 1122 hrs, prior to the IP, a direct flak burst hit the #2 engine, and the right wing caught fire. The aircraft exploded shortly before or on hitting the ground. Crashed near Liege, Belgium. MACR 10197
Sortie Report⇗

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