Sgt. W. J. Focht Killed in 1944
Staff Sgt. William J. Focht, 21, previously reported missing in action Sept. 30, 1944, over Germany, was killed on that date, the war department informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Focht, 4051 Cottage Grove ave. He was a gunner on a Flying Fortress in England.
Sergeant Focht was graduated from Roosevelt High school and entered the army air forces in May, 1943. He was sent overseas in May, 1944 and had the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Sergeant Focht was born and raised in Grinnell, Ia. He lived in Des Moines about a year before entering the service.
Surviving, besides his parents, are three brothers, Flight Officer Richard C. Focht, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Charles, jr., and Michael, both at home.
Source: The Des Moines Tribune, July 18, 1945 (photo included)
William James Focht was born Oct. 3, 1922 to Charles E. and Lucille Triplett Focht. He died Sept. 30, 1944 and is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.
Sgt. Focht served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 836th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group as a Waist Gunner on B-17G #43-38154. He was KIA and awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; fieldsofhonordatabase
