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Personal info

Full name
GILDERSLEEVE, John Robinson Jr
Date of birth
2 April 1916
Age
28
Place of birth
Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia
Hometown
McDowell County, West Virginia

Military service

Service number
O-353421
Rank
Captain
Function
Pilot
Unit
514th Fighter Squadron,
406th Fighter Group
Awards
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 February 1945
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 16 12

Immediate family

Members
John R. Gildersleeve (father)
Laura (Beavers) Gildersleeve (mother)

More information

Capt John R. Gildersleeve Jr. graduated from West Virginia University in 1937.

The airplane was lost on the way from Burtonwood (England) to Y-29. Lt Porter, Capt Gildersleeve, and Lt Henry M. Deja started out from Burtonwood, England, to ferry planes to Y-29. The weather was very bad, and Lt Porter became separated from Capt Gildersleeve and Lt Deja. That was the last Lt Porter saw of the other two officers.

Source of information: Jan Toenisson, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Virginia Birth Records

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Jan Toenisson