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Personal info

Full name
STUBBS, Gail Eugene
Date of birth
3 January 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Grainfield, Gove County, Kansas
Hometown
Grainfield, Gove County, Kansas

Military service

Service number
O-813973
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
32nd Bombardment Squadron,
301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
10 September 1944
Place of death
Near Vienna, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
D 5 14

Immediate family

Members
John J. Stubbs (father)
Mary K. (Birrer) Stubbs (mother)
Marguerite J. Stubbs (sister)
Louise K. Stubbs (sister)
Hugh G. Stubbs (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-6353
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Princess O’Rourke
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the Lobau oil refinery
MACR: 8620

More information

Statement from Sgt Robert C. Shaughnessy:
"I was flying as ball turret gunner on Airplane #44-6347, flying in the 2-3 position, with plane #44-6353 in the 1-3 position. Just before the target, our plane, due to engine trouble pulled off to the right a 1000 yards, which gave us a view of the lead squadron in action. Just after bombs away, 353 started in a wide circle leaving the formation. The plane appeared under control, but at this time three chutes came out, and the plane started down. After falling about 2000, the plane blew up into several pieces. I then turned my back as I had to watch our #4 engine which was acting up. I don’t believe any more chutes than those above mentioned came out of the plane. The plane blew up at 48.11 N 16.29 E."

The airplane was hit by flak. Seven crew members were killed, three were taken prisoner.

1st Lt Stubbs is remembered at the Grainfield Cemetery in Grainfield, Gove County, Kansas.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com – Gail Boyd Parrish, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Alice Stanley’s Family Tree / U. S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Steve McCray / Have Paws will travel

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Steve McCray