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Submitted: 9/6/14 • Approved: 9/6/14 • Last Updated: 3/26/18 • R68017-G0-S3
STAFF SERGEANT US Army Air Corps
755 Bomb Squadron 458 Bomber Group
World War II
May 23, 1920 - May 28, 1945
Finding of Death - Died while missing
On May 27, 1944, a pick-up crew was needed, so Abshire was picked to go with Lt. Lester Martin's crew. During assembly, this aircraft collided with another. Martin called "bail out" at which time the engineer salvoed the bombs and jumped. Abshire also jumpred. Neither survived. The aircraft, although damaged, was returned to base safely.
SSgt Wilbert Abshire fell into the North Sea, and his body was never recovered. His name is listed on the Walls of the Missing in Cambridge American Cemetery, and his name is inscribed in the Book of Remembrance in Central Library in Norwich, England.
Son of Jeneus & Alecia Simon Abshire
Photo courtesy of Bobby Cox
Contributed on 9/6/14
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Record #: 68017