Avery O Gage
Military"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 22 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.
He had already graduated college and was working for the Borg-Warner Corporation when he drafted. He was originally classified 4F but - after getting married - was called up again and was finally awarded his wings and commissioned as a Navigator in February 1944. He was transported across the Atlantic in an 'old English meat ship, we had to hang hammocks on meat hooks....we were all seasick'. He flew his first mission with the 91st at Bassingbourn on June 2 and was to fly on 5 consecutive days bombing bridges, marshalling yards and airfields ahead of the invasion forces. His worst mission was that of 20 July 1944 -target Leipzig- when they were attacked by some hundred German fighters and only one bomber was left in the high squadron and his the only survivor in the low squadron. He returned to the States in September and became an instructor until his discharge a year later.
DFC; Air Medal with 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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-755331 - 19098786
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-761439
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-817484
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Copilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Qualified Quail
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Wisconsin, USA | 29 March 1919 | |
Enlisted |
22 October 1942 | ||
Died |
21 April 2006 | ||
Des Moines, IA, USA |