Kenneth M Gorrell

Military
media-23069.jpeg UPL 23069 Crew #15
Kenneth Gorrell Crew
458th BG - 752nd BS

Back Row: Unknown - N, Lt. Kirschman - B, Louis Sonnefeld - CP, Kenneth Gorrell - P
Middle Row: John Hiebert - G, Paul Dirker - TT/E, Dewey Adams - WG
Front Row: Rocco Immundo - TTG, Calvin Criswell - RO, Wisner - TG


Crashed on takeoff for their first combat mission, 2 March 1944. 7 KIA 458th Bomb Group collection

Object Number - UPL 23069 - Crew #15 Kenneth Gorrell Crew 458th BG - 752nd BS Back Row: Unknown - N, Lt. Kirschman - B, Louis Sonnefeld - CP, Kenneth Gorrell - P Middle...

Crashed at Hellesdon, Norwich after takeoff for 1st operational mission on 2 Mar 1944 in B-24H 41-28669. Returned to Duty (RTD). 26 missions. Crash landed on return from mission to Junkers Airframe factory. B-24H 42-51110. 29-Jun-44. MACR 7085. Recieved DFC for this mission.



Citation: "Kennth M Gorrell, 0-747169, 1st Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For meritorious achievement, while serving a Pilot on a B-24 aircraft on a bombing mission to Germany, 29 June 1944. Over the target a flak hit started a fire in the pilot's cabin which threatened to ignite escaping gasoline and destroy the aircraft. With full knowledge of the danger involved, Lieutenant Gorrell beat out the flames with his gloved hands and then skillfully flew his damaged aircraft safely back to base without further damage or injury to the crew. The courage, coolness, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gorrell on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."



Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

Personnel of the 458th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29303) nicknamed "Liberty Lib" in order to transfer a casualty into a waiting ambulance. Image via Harry Holmes. Written on slide casing: '458th BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18031748
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ginny
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Yankee Buzz Bomb
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 458th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51110) nicknamed "Top O' the Mark.' The crew are: (back row, left to right) Carl Johnson - Nose Gunner, Chuck Frazer - Gunner, Charles Gretz - Top Turret Gunner, "Bubba" Monroe - Co-Pilot, (front row, left to right) Dick Eselgroth - Navigator, Al Miller - Bombardier, Billy Duke - Pilot "Luke" Lucas - Radio Operator, Baldamore Garcia - Engineer, "Pan" Panarese - Tail Gunner . Image via RM Eselgroth. Written on slide casing: '
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Top O The Mark
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Gas House Mouse
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Pennsylvania, USA 25 January 1920

Other

Crashed

Norwich, UK 2 March 1944 Crashed at Hellesdon, Norwich after takeoff for 1st operational mission on 2 Mar 1944 in B-24H 41-28669. Returned to Duty (RTD).

Other

Crashed

29 June 1944 Crash landed on return from mission to Junkers Airframe factory. B-24H 42-51110. 29-Jun-44. MACR 7085. RTD.

Died

Kennesaw, GA, USA 18 July 2004
Pennsylvania, USA

Based

Horsham St Faith Assigned to 752BS, 458BG, 8AF.

Enlisted

Pennsylvania, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Combat Chronology Supplement p. 281, 458th BG IV by Reynolds p. 40, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces & Page 280 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION by Turner Publishing Co, 1998 edition & 458bg.com / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Kenneth M Gorrell: Gallery (1 items)