Bernard W. Koutz was born on November 9, 1924. He was the son of William A. Koutz and Eva Barbara Himmer Koutz.

Bernard served in the 848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner 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.

SSgt Koutz is now buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Eastpoint, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA.

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