Windeler Frederick Carl

Name:

Frederick Carl Windeler

Rank:

Sergeant

Serial Number:

32463381

Unit:

602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-04-11

State:

New Jersey

Cemetery:

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France

Plot:

F

Row:

4

Grave:

25

Decoration:

Purple Heart

Comments:

Frederick Carl Windeler was born on March 27, 1915, in Cuba. He enlisted in the service on August 25, 1942. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #43-38664 during World War II.

On April 11, 1945, during a mission over Germany, the aircraft experienced mechanical failures in engines #3 and #4. These issues forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing near Mühldorf, Germany. The crash resulted in the deaths of three crew members, while the remaining seven crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

Sgt Windeler was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. Frederick C. Windeler’s name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 27, in the top right wing (section B).

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