Wilton Everett Gease
MilitaryAssigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 18 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Berlin in B-17 42-37784 24-May-44; enemy aircraft attack caused collision with 42-38082, crashed Melchow, Ger. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 5322
Despite remaining at the controls to allow his crew to bail out, he was the sole survivor from both A/C.
Awards: AM, PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32798044
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19162066
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36644083
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16051743
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33521377
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 24 May 1944
Places
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Stockton, CA | 23 May 1916 | Son of Godfred Eldon and Ida Beatrice Gease. |
Enlisted |
Berkeley, CA | 9 May 1942 | Berkeley, California |
Other Baled out POW |
Melchow, Germany | 24 May 1942 | Failed to Return (FTR) Berlin in B-17 42-37784 24-May-44; enemy aircraft attack caused collision with 42-38082, crashed Melchow, Ger. POW MACR 5322 |
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Zagan, Poland | 24 May 1944 | Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft III. |
Based Prisoner of War (POW) |
Kimbolton | 24 May 1944 | Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/631709804
Removed # from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
https://www.fold3.com/image/28640236
https://www.fold3.com/image/631709804
https://www.fold3.com/record/84979402-wilton-e-gease
379th Bombardment Group Anthology, Volume 2: November 1942-July 1945
http://www.8thairforce.com
https://www.fold3.com/image/28640236
https://www.fold3.com/image/631709804
https://www.fold3.com/record/84979402-wilton-e-gease
379th Bombardment Group Anthology, Volume 2: November 1942-July 1945
http://www.8thairforce.com/members/missionsflownby.asp?perIdentificatio…
https://www.fold3.com/image/28640236
https://www.fold3.com/image/631709804
https://www.fold3.com/record/84979402-wilton-e-gease
379th Bombardment Group Anthology, Volume 2: November 1942-July 1945
http://www.8thairforce.com/members/missionsflownby.asp?perIdentificatio…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5322 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database