Name:
Melvin E. Hertel
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Serial Number:
38143522
Unit:
341st Bombardment Squadron
Date of Death:
1943-11-16
State:
Texas
Cemetery:
Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France
Plot:
A
Row:
1
Grave:
13
Decoration:
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Comments:
Melvin E. Hertel was born on June 17, 1921 in Schulenberg, Texas. He was the son of Edmund Hertel and Callie Klaevemann Hertel. He served in the 341st Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group as a Technical Sergeant during World War II. Radio Operator of the B-17 #42-3147 "Homesick Angel", he was Killed in Action on November 16, 1943 when their plane was shot down during a bombing raid over Istres, France. The wreck of their B-17 was discovered when the lake was dried up in the 60's. TSGT Hertel is now buried in the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France.