William K. Birch was born on January 14, 1921. He served in the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, as a First Lieutenant and a Fighter pilot. He was Killed in Action on December 16, 1943 (not directly due to enemy action – probably oxygen problems and/or vertigo) in P-38H 42-67077. 1Lt Birch is now buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA.
More info from www.americanairmuseum.com:
Assigned to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. 10 x missions, credited with a Me109 probable. Failed to Return (FTR) bomber escort mission to Bremen, on return journey whilst letting down through overcast, seen to spin off of formation into a dive and continue straight into the ground, near Wakerly, Northamptonshire, where the aircraft P-38H 42-67077 'Mountain Ayers' exploded. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Birch William K.
Name:
William K. Birch
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-740136
Unit:
38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group
Date of Death:
1943-12-16
State:
Arizona
Cemetery:
Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Purple Heart
Comments: