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name
GILMOUR, Kyle James - Date of
birth
16 May 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Jackson County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-680881 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
729th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 July 1944 - Place of
death
Sangerhausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 37 | 44 |
Immediate family
-
Members
K. J. Gilmour (father)
Eileen Gilmour (mother)
Margaret Gilmour (sister)
Nancy A. (Bruner) Gilmour (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97616 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil plant
MACR: 7827
More information
Lt Kyle J. Gilmour attended Norman High School. He first served with the infantry before being transferred to the Army Air Corps.Lt Gilmour received his wings in May 1943 and had been overseas since December 1943, completing 24 combat missions.
Following statement made by 1st Lt John A. Zimmerman; about three to four minutes after the I.P. we had another Combat Wing coming in to our left. After this Wing went in front of our Group, we were bothered by prop wash. The lead aircraft (B-17G, 42-97616) seemed to pass over on top of #2 (B-17G, 42-97764) and at the same time both aircraft were apparently hit by prop-wash. Also it is believed that the two aircraft were attempting to change positions so that 97764 would have the lead. They collided with A/C 764 hitting the rear section of A/C 616. The rest of the formation banked to the left to avoid the two aircraft. One of the planes with its tial off descended rapidly for approximately 3,000 feet and then disintegrated. Bombs were observed falling from this plane as apparently they had been salvoed. The other plane went into a vertical dive and disappeared into the clouds which were then at approximately 10,000 feet. The tail gunner on one of the planes (believed to have been 616) parachuted. In addition there were five other observed.
Lt Gilmour was initially buried at the cemetery of Sangerhausen.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, The Norman Transcript - 24 September 1944
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Forth Worth Star Telegram 27 September 1944, Norman High School, 1940