Willard Konyndyk
 2nd Lt Willard J Konyndyk`s Crew in Photo Left to Right--First Row Lt H O Wands-Pilot Lt W J Konyndyk- Co-Pilot Lt W J Thorney- Navigator Lt Sidney Silverman- Bombardier
Second Row Stanley Kantz- Gunner Clifford Snoke-Engineer Thomas Herliky or Herlihy- Gunner Richard Synder-Gunner Raymond Lucy-Gunner Harold Gordiver- Radio Operator
Lt Willard was killed 1/19/45 after parachuting from his crippled B-24 and landing in a tree in Yugoslavia on 459th BG`s M # 177 to bomb Brod R R Bridge in Yugoslavia. ( See story about this photo and additional information about this crew and Lt Konyndyk`s death under crewman S/Sgt Thomas Herlihy serviceman`s section ). 2nd Lt Willard J Konyndyk was a Co-Pilot on H O Wands`s 759th B S B-24 Crew that was lost on 459th BG`s M # 177 1-19 -45 to bomb the Railroad Bridge at Brod Yugoslavia, The mission report for that day showed that only one aircraft was missing and was last seen at 1300 hours at approximately 4516N and 1710E in Yugoslavia with 2 engines feathered and falling behind the formation. Information from Ronald Kregel, Willard`s Son indicates that the Wands crew were forced to bail out over Yugoslavia with all the crew managing to get out of their crippled B-24 but Lt Konyndyk died when he fell into a tree. The suriving crew found him the next day and buried him ay this site. Unfortunately Lt Konyndyk was the only casualty of this mission. Willard`s son, Ronald Kregel, would like to contact any surviving member of this crew, which consisted of officers: Lt H O Wands,Pilot: Lt W J Thorney, Navigator, Lt Sidney Silverman, Bombardier and Enlisted men: Stanley Kantz-Gunner: Clifford Snoke- Engineer; Thomas Herliky (or Herlihy)- Gunner; Richard Synder- Gunner; Raymond Lucy- Gunner and Harold Gordiver- Radio Operator. If any one knows of any of these crewmen, please conact this Webmaster (See photo of the crew in this section).
MACR: 11391
2nd LT Willard J Konyndyk was assigned to the 459th BG 759th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Co-pilot.
The following information on Willard Konyndyk is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on 2nd LT Konyndyk. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Willard Konyndyk's military record please contact us.
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Rank |
General Order |
Date |
Notes |
Award |
Ribbon & Device |
Willard Konyndyk |
2nd Lt |
991 |
02/27/1945 |
KIA |
AM |
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