Doyle Paul Eugene

Name:

Paul Eugene Doyle

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-775831

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-11-26

State:

Wisconsin

Cemetery:

Saint Matthews New Catholic Cemetery, Shullsburg, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Paul Eugene Doyle was born on May 27, 1921, in Shullsburg, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. He was the son of Joseph William Doyle and Johanna Morrissey Doyle. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-17 #42-102565 nicknamed ''The Ugly Duckling'' during World War II.

On November 26, 1944, the aircraft was lost during a bombing mission over Misburg, Germany. While returning to base, the aircraft sustained severe damage from enemy anti-aircraft fire near Zwolle, Netherlands. The impact caused a runaway propeller, forcing the crew to bail out over the IJsselmeer (then known as the Zuiderzee). Tragically, all nine crew members perished, likely due to hypothermia from the frigid waters.

2Lt Doyle is now buried in the Saint Matthews New Catholic Cemetery, Shullsburg, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA. Paul E. Doyle's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org