Eli Baldea Jr
MilitaryExperiences (Memorable missions or events, impressions, etc. ) - Joined the Army Air Corp (34th Bomb Group) in 1942 in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Flew as navigator on B-24s and later, B-17s over Germany.
Was shot down on 17 October 1944 in B-17 #43-38353 over Germany and spent the last 8 months of the war in a Prisoner of War (POW) camp, liberated by General Patton's 14th Armored Division in April, 1945.
Stayed in the Air Force Reserve (9626th Reserve Squadron) for 19 years. Compiled and edited a quarterly newsletter called 'Mendlesham Memories', which recounted the stories of the brave souls who fought in the 34th Bomb Group during WWII.
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
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: RAF Mendlesham
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag 7a, Moosburg
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Indiana Harbor, Indiana | 28 January 1924 | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
17 October 1944 | ||
|
Died |
20 August 2002 | ||
|
Buried |
Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Indiana |
Revisions
Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Brought in information from duplicate record. Source:
MACR 9468 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=directory&rec=41886
1996 34th BG Roster/daughter / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia