Charles Robert Bigler
MilitaryCrew list for 17-Jul-43: Lt Willis C Carlisle, Lt Charles R Bigler, Lt John W Bradley, Lt Joseph G Glaser Jr, T/Sgt Benjamin B Johnson, T/Sgt Albert P Tyler, Cpl Charles J Kukawski, Sgt James A Dyson, Sgt Vernon F Bennett, Sgt John A Stachura.
Pictured L-R:
Rear: 2Lt Lt Charles R Bigler, 1Lt Willis C Carlisle, Lt Joseph G Glaser Jr, Lt John W Bradley.
Front: Cpl Charles J Kukawski, T/Sgt Benjamin B Johnson, T/Sgt Albert P Tyler, Sgt John A Stachura.
https://www.fold3.com/image/32192770
379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, November 1942-July 194
Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 14 x combat missions. Co-pilot of B-17 42-29866 'Judy B' on Hamburg mission, when pilot Lt Willis C Carlisle was killed at controls. A/C fought off fighters whilst in uncontrolled plunge from 16,000ft to 3,500ft 25-Jul-43 RTD
Failed to Return (FTR) Le Bourget in B-17 42-29866; Shot down by flak 16-Aug-43. Evaded and returned (EVD/RTD).
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19080965
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Logansport, Indiana, USA | 4 June 1922 | Son of John S and Mary E Bigler. |
Other Married |
Watertown, SD | 21 March 1943 | Married Betty Eloise Jennens in Watertown, SD |
Other Returned to base pilot KIA |
Hamburg, Germany | 25 June 1943 | Hamburg mission in B-17 42-29866; Despite pilot being KIA and a plunge of 12,500ft whilst under fire by fighters. Returned to base and to durty RTD. |
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Le Bourget, France | 16 August 1943 | Failed to Return (FTR) Le Bourget in B-17 42-29866; Shot down by flak 16-Aug-43. Evaded and returned (EVD/RTD) |
Other EVD |
France | 16 August 1943 | Evaded capture with assistance from French resistance, returning to his unit by Apr-44. |
Died |
Mesa, AZ | 19 February 2001 | |
Buried |
Calumet Park CemeteryMerrillville,Lake County, IN | 23 February 2001 | Calumet Park Cemetery Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana |
Based Evaded |
Kimbolton | Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Born |
Rochester, IN |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/28693474
https://www.fold3.com/record/36622668-charles-r-bigler
379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, November 1942-July 1945
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184400106/charles-robert-bigler
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196479249/betty-eloise-bigler
https://www.fold3.com/image/28693474
https://www.fold3.com/record/36622668-charles-r-bigler
379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, November 1942-July 1945
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184400106/charles-robert-bigler
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196479249/betty-eloise-bigler
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1352 / MACR 1352; 379th Bombardment Group Anthology, pg 274 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database