Wendell Wallace Hockaday (1923 - 1945)

Born 9 Mar 1923 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Died 25 Feb 1945 at age 21 in Austria

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Biography

Wendell Hockaday is Notable.

2 Lt Wendell Hockaday was Killed in Action during World War II.

Wendell Hockaday is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 99th Fighter Squadron 1944-1945
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

Wendell Hockaday was awarded the Purple Heart.

Wendell was a Tuskegee Airman pilot who was serving with the 99th Fighter Squadron in Italy when he was killed in action during World War II.

Wendell was born in 1923 in Norfolk, Virginia. His parents were James Hockaday and Eleanor Barrett.

Wendell attended the Tuskegee Air Pilot Institute in Tuskegee Alabama, earning his wings in June of 1944. ^[1] He was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332ndFighter Group, based at Ramitelli, Italy in December of that same year^[2].

On Feb 25, 1945, Wendell was flying a P-51 nicknamed Apache 11, on a strafing mission to Munich, flying out of Ramitelli airbase. He attacked a locomotive 3 miles northeast of Munich, resulting in the train exploding with steam reducing the visibility of his plane. When his plane was once again visible, 18 inches of the left wing was torn off, and nearly all of the left aileron. Wendell radioed that he had no control of the aircraft. He was in the midst of the alps when Lt. W.M. Lucas advised him to parachute out because he could not maintain the height of the plane through the high peaks. Wendell radioed that he was bailing out, but Lt Lucas could not locate the plane, nor a parachute in the area. ^[3] 2nd Lt. Wendell W Hockaday was reported missing over Uttendorf, Austria after suffering damage during a strafing attack.

When his body was recovered, he was buried in a temporary cemetery in St. Avold France. In 1949, his parents chose to have his remains returned to the United States. He was interred in the Hampton national Cemetery on June 29, 1949.

Sources

1. ↑ Omaha Guide, 10 Jun 1944, pg. 3
2. ↑ Pittsburgh Courier, 16 Dec 1944, pg 7.
3. ↑ Missing Air Crew Report 12665

• Virginia Birth Records: Norfolk, Virginia; Certificate Number 1923012427