Edward J Giering

Military
media-23345.png UPL 23345 POW Photo of Edward Giering, 303rd Bomb Group

Object Number - UPL 23345 - POW Photo of Edward Giering, 303rd Bomb Group

TSgt. during war. Was on 24th mission w/Wertz crew when shot down over Munster, Germany. Became POW. Freed by Patton's 3rd Army.



Went on to serve and fight in 5 more conflicts (Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada and Desert Storm - early 1990's). Retired as Lt. Colonel.



Prisoner of War (POW) crashed near Kleve on 16 Feb 45 in B-17 43-39081. After bypassing the primary target Langendreer (Synthetic Oil Refinery), crew was ordered to proceed to bomb secondary target - Munster railhead. This plane was in the lead of remaining two plane formation and was shot down with 3 crew members killed and six Prisoner of War (POW)s.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17169885
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6575542
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-927606
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39216299
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2065595
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 16 February 1945

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany 16 February 1945

Born

West Haven, Connecticut, USA

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
- MACR 12378;
- Edward Giering letter Jan. 2009;
- http://www.303rdbg.com/427wertz.html

Date
ContributorJohn Wertz
Changes
Date
ContributorJohn Wertz
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 12439 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Edward J Giering: Gallery (2 items)