Charles Fred Gowder
Military2LT Charles F. Gowder, 384TH Bombardment Group, 546 Bombardment Squadron was awarded The Distinguished Service Cross for heroism on 24 April 1944.
Wounded himself, he landed away at RAF Manston, Kent on return from a mission to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany due to crew casualties and battle damage. This aircraft had two killed and four wounded aboard.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. CHARLES F. GOWDER, O-754335, Second Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy, 24 April 1944. On this date, Lieutenant Gowder was serving as pilot of a heavy bomber on a mission against military installations in Germany. As a result of repeated attacks by large numbers of enemy fighters before and during the bombing run, Lieutenant Gowder was wounded, the navigator was killed, the bombardier was wounded, and the airplane sustained heavy damage. In spite of his wounds and the difficulty of flying the damaged airplane, Lieutenant Gowder, displaying great courage and determination to bomb the target, continued in formation, directing the actions of his remaining crew members, and released the bomb load on the target by means of the emergency release. After leaving the target area he was forced by a lack of oxygen to fly at a low altitude. Despite further enemy fighter attacks, Lieutenant Gowder was finally able to reach a friendly base. The extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gowder upon this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from California.
Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
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 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39556825
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18170651
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-815555
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16057678
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: White Angel
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 24 April 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Macomb, Oklahoma | 26 February 1916 | |
Enlisted |
Oklahoma City, OK, USA | 22 December 1941 | Residence: Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Private, Air Corps |
Other Assigned |
24 March 1944 | Assigned to the 384th Bomb Group, 546th Bomb Squadron on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #56 dated 24 March 1944, as crew pilot. 31 combat missions. | |
Died |
20 January 1992 | Burial: Resthaven Memorial Park Shawnee Pottawatomie County Oklahoma, USA |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Whos Who in the Eighth Air Force and/or Biographical Directory Command & Staff Officers Eighth Air Force 1942-45, http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…