Muenzer August Benedict “Gus”, Jr.

Name:

August Benedict “Gus”, Jr. Muenzer

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

15343987

Unit:

862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1945-01-10

State:

Ohio

Cemetery:

Calvary Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio

Plot:

Section 36, Lot 155

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Comments:

August Benedict “Gus” Muenzer, Jr. was born on October 28, 1925, in Toledo, Ohio. He was the son of August Benedict Muenzer and Ella Mae Carlton Muenzer.

August, Jr. served in the 862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17 #44-8304 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on January 10, 1945, when their bomber crashed off the end of the runway at Debach and exploded. The airplane had a severe power loss on take-off and crashed at Rookery Farm in Monewdon, England. Four members of the crew were Killed in Action, and five men survived and returned to duty.

SSgt Muenzer is now buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, USA.

Airmen who perished were:
Pilot: William H. Butler
Co-pilot: Sidney B. Jones
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray H. Beeles
Tail gunner: August B. Muenzer

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de