Duane T Kritchman
Military
"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 26 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.
Object Number - UPL 32311 - Staff Sergeant Duane T Kritchman, , Waist Gunner / Ball turret Gunner, 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Aged 18 he joined up in December 1942 eventually training as a gunner and was deployed to the 92nd BG at Podington. On a mission to bomb Orly airfield pre D-Day there was confusion at take-off in foggy weather and two planes collided on the runway, killing 21 men. He later asked himself 'why was I spared when so many were cut down so young?'
He initiated the Central Iowa Wing of the 8th Air Force Historical Society – Iowa Chapter.
DFC; Air Medal 3 clusters.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Heaven's Above
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
La Crosse, WI, USA | 10 May 1924 | |
|
Died |
Johnston, IA, USA | 3 May 2010 | |
|
Buried |
34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003, USA |
Revisions
New entry added with details from:
- "Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 26 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.;
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52760348/duane-t-kritchman
