2Lt. Wayne Dyer

World War II Veteran, U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Wayne L. Dyer, born on September 28, 1921, a native of Hobart, Oklahoma, sacrificed his life for his country on May 28, 1944, at the age of only 22. Dyer was assigned to the 569th Bombardment Squadron, 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 13th Bombardment Wing, 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force. While navigating a B-17G Flying Fortress bomber during a WWII huge bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany, his plane was shot down by enemy fighters roughly 28 miles northeast of Leipzig. Dyer was among four of 10 crew members who were unable to escape the plane before it crashed near Horst. Dyer was accounted for by the DPAA on Sept. 9, 2022, after his remains were identified using circumstantial and material evidence as well as dental, anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis. DNA was able to trace him to his great niece, Cheri Stripling of Leander, Texas. His name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Hombourg, Belgium, along with others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Now after seventy-eight years he will finally be laid to rest. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, April 10th, 2023 at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Our community is invited to show their patriotism and support. Arrangements are entrusted to Crotty Funeral home & Cremation Services of Belton.

For additional information about 2nd Lt. Dyer, go to: https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3162674/airman-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-dyer-w/