Memorial

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T/Sgt Gordon P. Thoroman was employed at Dolton Brothers Grocery.

He enlisted on 8 March 1943 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

This A/C was forced to abort when the #3 prop had to be feathered and trouble developed in #2 engine. Decent was begun and #2 picked up. When over Ostend three engines were running. The A/C was at 11,000 feet and was about five minutes out on a heading for Felixstowe when the #1 engine blew up. The pilot turned left and headed back to the Belgian Coast, the bombs were jettisoned just after the engine exploded.
Lt Kraker gave the order to prepare to bail out and Lt Roberts called the radio operator to stand by for the bailout order.

At this time the fire was getting worse in the wing. About two miles inland the bailout order was given. No reply was received from the waist, evidently they had bailed out about four minutes previous. Lt Souders was the last one out in the waist before the official order was given, and he landed about one mile out in the water and swam to shore, he saw the other four chutes stretched out in a trail. Those listed as MIA landed in the water about eight miles off shore at 1320 at 5112N-0237E. Boats and Mosquitos were sent out from Ostend to look for the chutes. All the crew had dinghies and Mae Wests. They may have drifted into enemy beached at Dunkirk, if not, they were probably drowned.
Statement from 1st R.C. Gilmore, 1st Lt Air Corps, Stat Control Officer.

T/Sgt Gordon P. Thoroman, 2nd Lt Morris Schmulewitz, T/Sgt William J. McClendon and S/Sgt Robert A. Nash are listed as MIA. The last three are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, England.

T/Sgt Gordon P. Thoroman is remembered at Locust Grove Cemetery in Peebles, Adams County, Ohio with a memorial marker.