Junior Harold Gossell

Military
media-7121.jpeg UPL 7121 Junior H. Gossell B-17 Co-Pilot, 836th Squadron. On Rodenbough crew: http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/RodenboughCrew2.shtml

Personal knowledge, had the privilege of knowing Junior (his real name). Also Bomb Group records.

Object Number - UPL 7121 - Junior H. Gossell B-17 Co-Pilot, 836th Squadron. On Rodenbough crew: http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/RodenboughCrew2.shtml

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

The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Places

Officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room.
  • 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

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Added middle name, Born, Died and Buried events per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 121692348.

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Junior Harold Gossell: Gallery (1 items)