William J. B. Plein was born on May 13, 1925, in Monterey, Monterey County, California. He was the son of William Plein, who resided in Carmel, California.
William J. B. resided in California prior to the war. He served in the 848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Engineer on the B-17 #43-38131 'Little Miss Mary Kay' during World War II. He was Killed in Action on April 5, 1945, when his B-17 was shot down by German flak boats in the harbor of Middelharnis, Netherlands.
TSgt Plein is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.
Airmen who perished on B-17 (#43-38131):
Roufs, Darril F ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, Minnesota
Barnard, William E ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Maryland
Emmons, John L ~ S/Sgt, Togglier, Texas
Grant, Donald C ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, Massachusetts
Hartkopf, Paul O ~ S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, Iowa
Koutz, Bernard W ~ S/Sgt, Tail Gunner, Maryland
Pickens, Lilbert D, Jr ~ T/Sgt, Radar Operator, Kentucky
Plein, William J B ~ T/Sgt, Engineer, California
Watson, Wayne E ~ Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, California
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov