Gene Robert Goodrick

Military
media-44609.jpeg UPL 44609 1st Lt Gene R Goodrick, 384BG

Object Number - UPL 44609 - 1st Lt Gene R Goodrick, 384BG

Assigned to the 384th Bomb Group, 547th Bomb Squadron on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #140 dated 17 July 1944, as crew pilot, 35 combat missions.



Silver Star Citation: GENE R. GOODRICK, O-760823, First Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action while piloting a B-17 bomber on a penetration mission over Germany, 30 November 1944. Unable to observe the target on the initial run due to dense contrails left by preceding formations, Lieutenant Goodrick ordered the bombs held. Just after turning to make the second bomb run, an almost direct burst of flak exploded the oxygen tank under the flight deck and started a fierce fire. In the resultant confusion, the navigator, bombardier, co-pilot, and engineer bailed out, but Lieutenant Goodrick remained cool, his only concern at the moment being to hold his position and perform his duty. Immediately after releasing the bombs, he left the formation, rejoining his unit later after the fire had been extinguished. Arriving at the base after dark with the hydraulic and electrical systems destroyed, Lieutenant Goodrick exhibited a high degree of skill by safely landing the crippled bomber unassisted. His courage, skill and tenacity of purpose are worthy of the highest praise. Entered Military service from Missouri.





Awards: SS, AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36743988
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16042068
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35045500 / O-765622
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Lieutenant Frank D Furiga,a navigator of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-769028
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Nevada Avenger
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Busy Buzzard
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 30 November 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Eldon, MO 11 November 1921 Son of Augustus and Grace [Hicks] Goodrick.

Enlisted

St Louis, MO 20 August 1942 St Louis, Missouri

Other

Promotion

Grafton Underwood, UK 4 September 1944 Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

Died

18 May 2015

Buried

Memorial Park Cemetery, Jennings, St. Louis County, MO 21 May 2015 Memorial Park Cemetery Jennings, St. Louis County, Missouri

Based

Grafton Underwood Assigned to 547BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

Personal correspondence with his daughter.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 11111 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Gene Robert Goodrick: Gallery (3 items)