Gerald Fabian Foretich
Military
Object Number - UPL 25779 - 545th Bombardment Squadron Patch
Served with 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Radio Operator of B17G Aircraft that left Grafton Underwood, England, on a mission to Zeits, Germany, November 30, 1944. Reports indicate that the "aircraft received direct burst of flak in the gas tanks between engine #3 and #4. It pulled out of formation, the right wing fell off and the A/C exploded at approximately 4000 to 5000 feet." Aircraft was piloted by 2nd Lieut Arthur Dexter Champ (KIA). Liberated by Russian forces. Gerry passed away May 21, 2005 in Gulfport, Mississippi at the age of 88.
POW
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37584238
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-771303
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2063158
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-722778
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35549602
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 30 November 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Gulfport, Mississippi, USA | 21 May 1916 | |
|
Enlisted |
Montgomery, AL, USA | 14 November 1940 | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 30 November 1944 | |
|
Other Assigned |
Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (H) per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #226 dated 15 November 1944 as a member of the Arthur D. Champ Crew. Two combat missions. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 11128 / MACR 11128, http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=… / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database