Memorial

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F/O Edward J. Gildea graduated from Meyers High School in 1941.

He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on 22 July 1943.

Approximately 15 to 20 enemy aircraft made attacks from behind on the low squadron. Aircraft 43-38148 was hit by enemy aircraft cannon fire and dove down into the clouds, out of control. Some reports indicate that the aircraft was on fire as it went into the clouds.

Statement from 2nd Lt Edward L.C. Batz, Co-Pilot, one of the surviving crew members:
"We were at 25,000 feet on our way to the target between Berlin and Leipzig, Germany, when we were attacked by enemy fighters. There were several fires on the ship and the controls were evidently shot out, because the ship would not respond. The bailout order was given both by bell and by inter-phone. I went down to the nose escape hatch, finding the engineer sitting beside it because it was jammed. I reached over to pull the emergency release handle when the ship rolled over and blew up. The explosion knocked me unconscious. When I recovered, I was falling free, I waited and pulled my chute. I was taken prisoner two hours later."

Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven men were killed.