World War II Honoree

Walter R. Nielsen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Long Island, New York

Honored By

Barry L. Siegle

Relationship

Son of Crew Member, Howard Siegle

SERVED AS A B-17 BOMBARDIER WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 379TH BOMB GROUP, 527TH BOMB SQUADRON AT KIMBOLTON AIRFIELD FROM MAY 1944 TO AUGUST 1944. HE WAS SHOT DOWN ON BOARD THE B-17 'RED DRAGON' BY GERMAN FLAK GUNS BEHIND ENEMY LINES AT AACHEN ON AUGUST 9, 1944. THE ENTIRE CREW PARACHUTED TO SAFETY BEFORE THE PLANE CRASHED. HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION FOR 35 PLUS DAYS IN BELGIUM, AND WAS THEN ASSISTED BY THE BELGIAN UNDERGROUND AND WALKED OUT TO U.S. FRIENDLIES IN MID SEPTEMBER 1944.