Fred Douglas Gleason
MilitaryAfter four years of High School, Fred Gleason enlisted in January 1943. Trained as an Engineer/Gunner on B-17 bombers, he was sent to Europe. Assigned to the 447th Bomb Group/709th Bomb Squadron, he was shot down in B-17 #43-37788 on return of the 13 July 1944 mission to Munich. Evaded with the help of French patriots, he was back in England on 18 August 1944. See details at https://www.evasioncomete.be/fgleasofd.html
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: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16057414 and O-757199
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 13 July 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
California, United States | 30 December 1922 | |
Enlisted |
Los Angeles, California, United States | 12 January 1943 | |
Other Bailed out |
France | 13 July 1944 | of B-17 # 43-37788 |
Other Landed in parachute |
near Boullare, France | 13 July 1944 | near Boullare, France |
Other Evaded |
Villebout, France | 13 July 1944 - 14 August 1944 | Helped in his evasion by French patriots and underground members, he reached a secret camp in the Fréteval forest, south of Châteaudun, France. Liberated on 14 August 1944 by US troops, together with about 150 other hidden Allied airmen. Was back in England on 18 August 1944. |
Died |
Los Angeles, California, United States | 5 October 2009 | |
San Gabriel, California, United States |
Revisions
NARA WWII Enlistment records
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1065
MACR 6938
Research for Gleason's page at http://www.evasioncomete.org/fgleasofd.html
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 6938 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database