Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
GILES, Harold Rudolph
Date of birth
14 April 1921
Age
22
Place of birth
Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, Maine
Hometown
Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, Maine

Military service

Service number
31151181
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
4 October 1943
Place of death
North Sea, 60 miles north of the West-Frisian Islands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Benjamin M. Giles (father)
Nettie G. (Rowe) Giles (mother)
Lermond E. Giles (brother)
Leta M. Giles (sister)
Iva G. Giles (sister)
Lavina R. Giles (sister)
Cleo A. Giles (sister)
Robert B. Giles (brother)
Drummond O. Giles (brother)
Natalie E. Giles (sister)
Benjamin M. Giles (brother)
Patricia E. Giles (sister)
Elizabeth L Giles (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-7481
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Whiskers
Destination: Frisian Islands
Mission: Diversion
MACR: 892

More information

S/Sgt Harold R. Giles was a routeman. He enlisted in Portland, Maine on 13 August 1942.

The mission's objective was to deconcentrate German defenses, primarily fighter units, and draw them away from the main bomber routes across the continent.

The aircraft was last observed with at least one and possibly both wings torn off after a collision with an enemy fighter which had been badly damaged. The collision was followed by a violent explosion at about 10,000 feet of. No parachutes were observed as the aircraft disappeared into the clouds at 1026 hours.

It is also believed that, according to eyewitness statements, during the incident the aircraft also collided with another B-24 (42-7471) as it fell out of formation.

The entire crew of eleven men was killed. Nine are remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. Michael Kvorjak and Carey Bratcher are remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge Cemetery.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, B24.net, NARA, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Betty Maddocks (niece)