2nd Lt William A. Dietch
U.S. Army Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 30th Bombardment Squadron
Navigator B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 Missing In Action (MIA) September 15, 1942

Background
William A. Dietch was born December 16, 1917 to parents Isadore Dietch and Mary Dietch in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated high school and attended three years of college and worked as a laboratory tehnician and assistant.

Wartime History
On March 17, 1941 enlisted in the in U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 16018101. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). After flight school he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-433137. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) as a navigator aboard B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

On August 12, 1942 Wilson flew aboard a B-17 on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. The formation of eight B-17s was attacked by Zero fighters before, during and after the bomb run. Gunners aboard the B-17s claimed three shot down and claimed to sink or badly damage four ships. For his actions on the mission, Wilson earned the Silver Star, bestowed by General George C. Kenney.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 at 5:30pm took off as navigator aboard B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 on a night mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when bomber failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Wilson was was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. On June 29, 2001 he had a memorial marker added in Arlington National Cemetery in section MJ site 84.

Relatives
Isadore Dietch (father died 1949)
Mary Dietch (mother died 1980)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William A. Dietch
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William A. Dietch
DPAA Personnel File - William A. Dietch
Arlington Explorer (ANC Explorer) - William A. Dietch (memorial marker photos)
FindAGrave - William A Dietch (memorial marker photo)

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