Wentz Declared Officially Dead;
B-24 Crewman
Mrs. Genevieve F. Wentz, of 110 Sans Souci drive, Saturday received word from the war department that her son, Tech. Sgt. William F. Wentz, 29, flight engineer on a B-24 Liberator, who was reported missing on a bombing mission over Tutow, Germany, Apr. 9, 1944, was declared dead as of Oct. 17, 1945.
His wife resides with her parents at 1125 Washington street, Cedar Falls, Ia.
Overseas since February, 1944, he entered service in October, 1942.
Born Apr. 7, 1916, in Walnut, Ia., the son of Newton W. and Genevieve Wentz, he came to Waterloo 12 years ago and was employed by the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern railroad before entering service. He was married to Lalieth Protheroe Jan. 29, 1944, in Alamogordo, N. M.
Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by two sisters, Miss Nova Wentz, at home, and Mrs. Howard Jones, 909 West Third street, Cedar Falls.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, October 21, 1945, Section Two, Page 17 (photo included)
William Findley Wentz was born Apr. 7, 1916 to Newton and Genevieve Findley Wentz. He died Apr. 9, 1944 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. He was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
