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Submit- Full
name
GARDNER, Edward Thomas - Date of
birth
17 December 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Cuyahoga County, Ohio -
Hometown
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-745881 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
615th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 February 1944 - Place of
death
Open ground near a small village, south of Magdeburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 34 | 19 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Edward Gardner (father)
Dorothy Gardner (mother)
Mary Jane Gardner (sister)
Fred Gardner (brother)
James Gardner (brother)
Ethel T. Gardner (wife)
Edward T. Gardner, Jr. (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31418 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Doolittle's Doughboy's
Destination: Leipzig
Mission: Bombing Aircraft plant
MACR: 2437
More information
Lt Edward T. Gardner attended Michigan State College.Lt Gardner gave his life for his crew, holding the B-17 steady until the other nine crew members had safely bailed out, by which time it was too late to bail out himself.
Additional information can be found at www.remember-our-heroes.nl/gardner.htm
Source of information: Andy Swinnen, Terry Hirsch, Remember-our-heroes.nl, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Andy Swinnen