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name
GILFOIL, Joseph Henry - Date of
birth
6 March 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31270331 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
702nd Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Kassel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 29 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph H. Gilfoil (father)
Margaret D. Gilfoil (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50961 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Kassel, Germany
MACR: 9571
More information
S/Sgt Joseph H. Gilfoil was a graduate of Watertown High School and attended Boston College for a term before entering the armed forces.100 to 150 E/A attacked our formation from 6 o'clock. They came in about 10 to 15 abreast and there were about 6 rows. B-24's were going down all around and it was impossible to state which was which. Many parachutes were seen in the area. Many planes were going down in flames.
Sgt Gilfoil had part of one leg shot away while in the plane. He immediately bailed out, either hoping that the temperature would stop the bleeding or hoping for immediate first aid on the ground.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, William H. Crowley, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.newspapers.com - The Boston Globe, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - The Boston Globe 25 January 1946 / 27 July 1945