Gerald J Duffy

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-21375.jpeg UPL 21375 Gerald Duffy - Davenport, 379th BG, KIA Charles D Taylor collection

"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 19 "Killed in Action", by Charles D Taylor

Object Number - UPL 21375 - Gerald Duffy - Davenport, 379th BG, KIA

Killed in Action (KIA) at Merseburg in B-17 'Tag-a-Long' 42-31663. He crash-landed the plane after the crew had bailed out and he was killed. Other crew were Prisoner of War (POW) or returned to duty. 'Tag-a-Long' was hit by flak over the target and had #4 engine feathered and #1 engine cut out before target, a 3rd engine quit after crossing the Rhine and the remaining engine was hit by small arms fire. The crew bailed out and the pilot crash landed the plane.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2064522
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-776525
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12207220 / O-827633
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16145385
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37481660
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Tag-a-long
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Davenport, Iowa, USA 16 August 1917

Other

Missions Flown with 8th Air Force

25 September 1944 - 8 November 1944 http://www.8thairforce.com/379th/search/missions_flown_by.asp?perIdentification=244

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Arcen, Holland 8 November 1944 According to Mission Remarks for Lt. Duffy - Mission 234 - 11/8/1944 www.8thairforce.com : "Killed In Action - After bailing out, Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt. William V. Machulsky evaded capture and returned to Kimbolton. The following is his report: "Hit by flak over target and about 2 or 3 minutes after we called for fighters 18 to 20 Enemy Aircraft attack us. Made one pass at us and six P-51's came to our rescure and took out after them. Flak knocked #3 completely out at target, #1 was out before we hit the target. Another engine was giving quite a bit of trouble and just after the Rhine we feathered it. Small arms fire was hitting us at 2000 ft. and it finally succeeded in hitting the 4th engine. Pilot gave order to bail out. I saw 3 men bail out and I bailed out at 600 feet. The Pilot made a perfect crash landing and walked out of the ship uninjured and was taken Prisoner. Plane landed on the bank of the Maus River near Wellerooi, 20 kilometers north of Venlo. RESEARCHERS NOTE: Official Missing Crew Reports list Gerald J. Duffy as Killed In Action. "

Buried

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Commemorated in perpetuity at Ardennes American Cemetery Neupré, Belgium https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/duffy%3Dgerald https://www.abmc.gov/print/certificate/481888

Revisions

Date
ContributorJeanH
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Sources

MACR 10354

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ContributorJeanH
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Gerald J. Duffy - Pilot, A/C 43-38745, Mission 229 flown on 11/1/1944
http://www.8thairforce.com/379th/search/crew_member_listing_for_mission…

Date
ContributorJeanH
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ContributorJeanH
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Original link to ABMC no longer works - Correct link is
https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/duffy%3Dgerald

Date
ContributorJeanH
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Sources

Charles R Herbison personal notes; Military Personnel Records

Date
ContributorJeanH
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UPL 40063, UPL 40064

Date
ContributorJeanH
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MACR 10354

Date
ContributorJeanH
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ContributorJeanH
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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 10354 / MACR 10354; 379th Bombardment Group Anthology, pg 329 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Gerald J Duffy: Gallery (5 items)