Walter Blair SHipplett was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, the son of George Ray Shiplett and Mable Moore. He married Margaret Elizabeth Lowder on 13 May 1944 in Texas.
Aircraft B-17G with serial number 42-31744, nickname Little Butch III, departed from Framlingham on a bombing mission to Derben. The aircraft was lost during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 FW 190´s and ME 109´s in the area between 5300N-1200E and 5220N-1250E at about 1240 hours. Due to the fact that the entire squadron was lost during these encounters, there are no particulars available on the attack and subsequent loss of the A/C. Approximately 14 chutes were reported seen from the A/C lost in the squadron.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Walter R. Wiegand
Co-Pilot, 1st Lt Herbert O. Bracht
Navigator, 1st Lt James R. Blaire
Bombardier, 1st Lt Wallace B. Shipplett
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Martin Schwartz
Top Turret Gunner, T/Sgt William L. Bongard
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Kenneth G. Richardson
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Noble E. Barker
Waist Gunner, Sgt Carl F. Packer
Wallace B. Shipplett was initially buried at Ardennes American War Cemetery, Neuville-En-Condroz at Liege, Belgium and reburied at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges), France
Plot B, Row 39, Grave 44
Photo Courtesy; Scott Culp
- Rank: First Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 7 February 1924
- Date of death: 14 January 1945
- County: Hamilton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 568th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Wallace B. Shipplett
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