BerkesEarl - 671st POW

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Sgt. Earl Fredrick Berkes

Airplane Mechanic - Gunner, 16111527

Prisoner Of War

671st Bombardment Squadron (L)

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Born: 1-Feb-1919, Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio

Entered Military Service: Date: 9-Oct-1942 At: Detroit, MI
NARA Enlistment Record: Enlisted Serial # 16111527

POW summary:
Fail to Return Date: 16-Feb-1945
Captured: 16-Feb-1945 15:00, Recklinghamsen
POW Camp: Dulag Luft Oberursel
Return Date: Before 30-Jun-1945
NARA WW II POW Data File ID: 133711 / (PDF)

Died: 10-Apr-2002, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona

On-line Memorials:
National World War II Registry

Obituary

Earl F Berkes

Earl Berkes, 83, of Phoenix Arizona, died April 10 2002. Earl was born February 1, 1919 in Napoleon, Ohio.

He was a Retired Service Tech and Parts Manager for Sears with 27 years of employment. Earl was a U.S. Air Force WWII Veteran, member of American Ex-POW's, P.O.W. Germany, National Historical Society, VFW Post 9400, DAV Commanders Club, life member of Paradise & Pacific Tim Plate Railroad at McCormic Ranch, "Rockpile" in his C.B. club, El Hombre Grande of the Dry Gulch Railroad Yard Office & Depot.

He was preceded in death by his wife Louise. He is survived by his Daughter Bonnie Hawn; son: Tom Berkes; 4 grandchildren; David Steve, Brandi and Ashley; and 2 great grandchildren: Leah and Baileigh.

Contributions to Hospice of the Valle, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.

No services planned. Arrangements by Maryvale Mortuary.

Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ), 18 Apr 2002, Thu, Page 7, Earl F Berkes Obituary, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/124693514/?article=c9e9495a-fcab-44a2-a09b-3600340f7f7d [subscription required] : accessed 3 October 2020)

MACR 12448 Details

Notes:
A/C Last Sighted and was Lost as a result of Enemy Anti-Aircraft.

Description:
Going in on the bomb run, the plane flown by F/O H.D. Wilson, with Sgt E.F. Berkes gunner, was seen to nose up and then start downward, still under control. It went into the clouds at 6,000 feet and has not been heard from since.
(416th BG History 1945)

See also Mission # 206

Photos and Documents

1920 US Census

1930 US Census

1940 US Census

WW II Draft Registration
16-Oct-1940

WW II Draft Registration
16-Oct-1940

Marriage Record
23-May-1941

Newspaper Clipping
The Daily Telegram
24-Feb-1942

MACR Capture document

Newspaper Clipping
Detroit News
19-Jun-1945

Newspaper Clipping
Detroit News
19-Jun-1945

Newspaper Clipping
Chicago Sun
20-Jun-1945

Newspaper Clipping
Chicago Sun
20-Jun-1945

Newspaper Obituary
Arizona Republic
18-Apr-2002

WW II Honoree