Wesley Clifton Borgeson
Military
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5134 - The insignia of the 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.
Wesley C. Borgeson (Wes) B-17 Tail Gunner, USAAF 8th AF, 384th BG, 545th BS, Grafton-Underwood, England. On 30 November 1944, his B-17 was blown apart and he rode the tail section from 27,500 feet to the ground and survived. He was one of three on a crew of eight to survive. POW. See his terrific You Tube video and his 8th AFHS-MN webpage at
https://sites.google.com/site/8thafhsmn/pictures/wesley-borgeson-b-17-t…
See the online chapter in "Brothers of the Air" pp. 59-70 about Wes Borgeson's incredible experience as a tail gunner and POW. He described his experiences to the 8th AFHS-Mn at a luncheon. There is a written transcript of this presentation.
To read another account of his time in service, with photos, see Don Ward’s book, The Greatest Generation of Silver Wings (2004) pp. 97-102. ISBN 0-9654964-0-8. The Memorial Press.
Shot down 30 November 1944 in B-17 #44-8409. Prisoner of War (POW).
Missing Air Crew Report 11128.
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: 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: 14033355
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- 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 |
Park River, North Dakota, USA | 5 October 1925 | |
|
Other Assigned |
Grafton Underwood, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN14, UK | 15 November 1944 | Assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group, 545th Bombardment Squadron on AAF Station 106 SPecial Orders #226 dated 15 November 1944, Arthur Dexter Champ Crew. Two combat missions. |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 30 November 1944 | POW Camp: Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16 |
|
Died |
Minneapolis, MN, USA | 30 April 2015 | Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery Minneapolis Hennepin County Minnesota, USA Plot: Original Sec. Block 14, Lot 8,Space 10 |
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