Edward J Giering
MilitaryTSgt. 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
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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
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
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 16 February 1945 | |
Born |
West Haven, Connecticut, USA |
Revisions
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
MACR 12439 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database