James E Gross
Military ROLL OF HONOURFlying as a squadron lead, went down 5 April 1943 in B-17 #425072. The account in Strong's book relates that well after the bail out Gross was found standing in the radio room by TG O'Brien as 2 other crewmen were attempting to fly the plane. A decision was made to head for the channel and attempt to ditch there, but as Navigator Spaduzze called for a 270 degree heading, the plane did a full roll and went into a spin. Killed in Action (KIA).
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
Missions
- Date: 5 April 1943
- Date: 4 April 1943
- Date: 31 March 1943
- Date: 28 March 1943
- Date: 13 March 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
5 April 1943 | ||
|
Buried |
Buried 8 April 1943 in Cemetery in Dinteloord, reinterred at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky |
Revisions
I have the medals that are listed in my possession. The information pertaining to the combat missions completed were located in the archives of the 306th BG website. I did not know that my Uncle had served with the 306th BG until 2011. I have some other information which was handed down. There is a letter from the Department of the Army which gave some information about the downing of 072. The Army also sent a photograph of the headstone at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Lt Spaduzzi and S/Sgt Clark names are also on the headstone. I am a member of the 306th Bomb Group Association. I was in England with a group of 306th BGA members which included three WWII Veterans of the 306th BG. We visited the IWM at Duxford during our stay.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor, MACR 15553, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey pp. 99-100, First Over Germany by Russell Strong pp. 81-83, ABMC.