Olaf Maximillian Ballinger

Military

Pilot, Ballinger Crew. 381st BG, 533rd BS, 8th AF. Shot down 4 July 1943 on B-17 #42-29928. Mission #7 to the Gnome-Rhone engine factory in Le Mans, France. MACR 161. Evaded capture, EE 248. Evaded for months with S/Sgt Owens until Lt Ballinger dropped out due to leg troubles. Walked alone over the Pyrenees after becoming separated from his party. He reached England on 3 December 1943 and returned to the United States.



After the war, Mr. Ballinger moved permanently to California where he was engaged in the development of a children's amusement park when he was killed in an automobile accident on 10 September 1955. He is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery.

Newton Falls, OH

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35661197
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19069301 at enlistment, then O-737353
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39242710
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34315087
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34207244
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Allentown, PA, USA 21 April 1919

Other

Evaded

4 July 1943 - 3 December 1943 EE Report 248

Died

10 September 1955 Auto accident
Newton Falls, OH 44444, USA

Based

4 July 1943

Buried

Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno, CA

Revisions

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ARowe95

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ContributorSean
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Sources

E&E report Olof Ballinger

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 161 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database