Junior Harold Gossell
MilitaryPersonal knowledge, had the privilege of knowing Junior (his real name). Also Bomb Group records.
Junior H. Gossell, Co-pilot. Boeing B-17G, "Caldonia" United States Army Air Forces, Eighth Air Force, 487th Bomb Group, 836th Bomb Squadron, Lavenham, England. European Theater of Operations. WWII Service 1942-1945.
Drafted into the infantry in 1942. Transferred to the Aviation Cadet program. Completed flight training in the Fall of 1943. Flew with his crew to Wales. Flew 20 combat missions in March, April, and May of 1945.
For more info see Junior's 8th AFHS-MN website at
https://sites.google.com/site/8thafhsmn/pictures/junior-gossell
A Chronology:
Born: October 8, 1917, Verndale, Mn
Obtained pilot's license through the Civilian Training Program while in college.
Graduated from St. Cloud Teacher's College 1942; Teaching Degree
July 12, 1942 Pre-induction tests and physicals: Ft. Snelling
Inducted into US Army
Camp Robinson, Little Rock Arkansas: Basic Training
Assigned Fort Lewis, Washington: 40th Infantry Division of Engineers. Missed the troop movement.
Camp Stoneman, Pittsburg, California
Camp Knight, Oakland, CA loading and unloading freighters
Took Aviation Cadet Exam
Furlough to Mn for Christmas Dec. 1942
Oakland then ordered to Santa Anna, CA for Preflight School. Class 43-J.
Completed Preflight school 4-14-43
King City, CA Primary Flight Training
June 1, 1943 sent to Chico, CA for Basic training
Yuma, AZ for Advanced and Multi-engine Training
Commissioned 2nd Lt on 11-3-43
Ardmore, OK for B-17 Training
Colorado Springs, CO Final hearing on flying status
Lincoln, Nebraska crew assignment
Dyersburg, Tennessee: Crew training
Assigned to 487th BG, 836th BS, near Lavenham, England
Training missions in England
First mission: March 8, 1945 Chaff mission
20 Missions plus 1 abort.
Promoted 1st Lt. mid July, 1945
Ordered to return to the US
Camp Miles Standish, Compton, MA
Camp McCoy, WI
Given leave and A-Bomb was dropped before needing to report for B-29 training at McDill AFB for duty in the Pacific.
Discharged August 16, 1945
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Verndale, Minnesota, USA | 8 October 1917 | |
Died |
15 November 2013 | aged 96 | |
Buried |
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA | Fort Snelling National Cemetery Section 31 Site 3935 |
Revisions
Added middle name, Born, Died and Buried events per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 121692348.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit History / http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/JuniorGossell.shtml , http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/RodenboughCrew1.shtml