Gerald J Duffy
Military ROLL OF HONOUR"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 19 "Killed in Action", by Charles D Taylor
Killed in Action (KIA) at Merseburg in B-17 'Tag-a-Long' 42-31663. He crash-landed the plane after the crew had bailed out and he was killed. Other crew were Prisoner of War (POW) or returned to duty. 'Tag-a-Long' was hit by flak over the target and had #4 engine feathered and #1 engine cut out before target, a 3rd engine quit after crossing the Rhine and the remaining engine was hit by small arms fire. The crew bailed out and the pilot crash landed the plane.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2064522
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-776525
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12207220 / O-827633
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16145385
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37481660
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Davenport, Iowa, USA | 16 August 1917 | |
Other Missions Flown with 8th Air Force |
25 September 1944 - 8 November 1944 | http://www.8thairforce.com/379th/search/missions_flown_by.asp?perIdentification=244 | |
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Arcen, Holland | 8 November 1944 | According to Mission Remarks for Lt. Duffy - Mission 234 - 11/8/1944 www.8thairforce.com : "Killed In Action - After bailing out, Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt. William V. Machulsky evaded capture and returned to Kimbolton. The following is his report: "Hit by flak over target and about 2 or 3 minutes after we called for fighters 18 to 20 Enemy Aircraft attack us. Made one pass at us and six P-51's came to our rescure and took out after them. Flak knocked #3 completely out at target, #1 was out before we hit the target. Another engine was giving quite a bit of trouble and just after the Rhine we feathered it. Small arms fire was hitting us at 2000 ft. and it finally succeeded in hitting the 4th engine. Pilot gave order to bail out. I saw 3 men bail out and I bailed out at 600 feet. The Pilot made a perfect crash landing and walked out of the ship uninjured and was taken Prisoner. Plane landed on the bank of the Maus River near Wellerooi, 20 kilometers north of Venlo. RESEARCHERS NOTE: Official Missing Crew Reports list Gerald J. Duffy as Killed In Action. " |
Buried |
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial | Commemorated in perpetuity at Ardennes American Cemetery Neupré, Belgium https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/duffy%3Dgerald https://www.abmc.gov/print/certificate/481888 |
Revisions
Gerald J. Duffy - Pilot, A/C 43-38745, Mission 229 flown on 11/1/1944
http://www.8thairforce.com/379th/search/crew_member_listing_for_mission…
Original link to ABMC no longer works - Correct link is
https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/duffy%3Dgerald
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 10354 / MACR 10354; 379th Bombardment Group Anthology, pg 329 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database