Olaf Maximillian Ballinger
MilitaryPilot, Ballinger Crew. 381st BG, 533rd BS, 8th AF. Shot down 4 July 1943 on B-17 #42-29928. Mission #7 to the Gnome-Rhone engine factory in Le Mans, France. MACR 161. Evaded capture, EE 248. Evaded for months with S/Sgt Owens until Lt Ballinger dropped out due to leg troubles. Walked alone over the Pyrenees after becoming separated from his party. He reached England on 3 December 1943 and returned to the United States.
After the war, Mr. Ballinger moved permanently to California where he was engaged in the development of a children's amusement park when he was killed in an automobile accident on 10 September 1955. He is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery.
Newton Falls, OH
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-796562
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33303393
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39103466
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735008
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Allentown, PA, USA | 21 April 1919 | |
Other Evaded |
4 July 1943 - 3 December 1943 | EE Report 248 | |
Died |
10 September 1955 | Auto accident | |
Newton Falls, OH 44444, USA | |||
Based |
4 July 1943 | ||
Buried |
Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno, CA |