Gerald J Bentzel
MilitaryShot down by fighters and crashed near Recke-Langenakker on a mission to Brunswick on 10 Feb 1944 in B-17G #42-37971. The crew that survived the attack baled out before the a/c broke up in the air. Prisoner of War (POW). Went down on 23rd bombing mission. Spent 15 months in Stalag Luft VI and IV.
POW, Purple Heart, Air Medal w 4/Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33206710
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11024424 at enlistment, then O-795518
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag Luft 4, Gross Tychow, Pomerania
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Navarre, Ohio, USA | ||
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Tychowo, Poland | 10 February 1944 | Interned in POW Camp: Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16 |
Revisions
Added punctuation to the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
Added the Awards listed in the "Summary biography".
Added POW Camp info to the POW event and a S/N from WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).
Added an association to Stalag Luft 4 per WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2526 / MACR 2526/self/Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database