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| Tech Sergeant Delbert Bartz served on B-25s in Alaska. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124700269/delbert-l-bartz https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=4011 |
Delbert Leroy Bartz never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Delbert was born on January 29, 1920 in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. His parents Albert and Jessie were born in Germany and Wisconsin, respectively. His father worked as a lumberman and later a state highway inspector. Delbert had two older sisters, two older brother, and two younger brothers. By 1940 Delbert had completed four years of high school. He was living at home and worked as a truck driver.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in November 1941. He became a tech sergeant in the 77th Bombardment Squadron. The 77th BS was based out of Alaska and equipped with B-26 Marauders and later B-25 Mitchells. It flew anti-submarine patrols out of Anchorage. It flew combat missions against the Japanese holding Kiska and Attu.
On November 23, 1943 Sgt. Bartz was one of the crew on a flight to attend instrument school at Elmendorf Field when it went down between Umnak and Adak. The plane disappeared and has never been found.
His cenotaph grave is at Mountain Cemetery in Mountain, Wisconsin.
Last year on this date I profiled Tarawa Silver Star hero Clifton Fomby, 2nd Marine Division. You can read about Clifton and his brother Odis here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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