Leonard J Gaik
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 56897 - 1st Lt Leonard J Gaik, 390BG.
Assigned to 569BS, 390BG, 8AF USAAF. 21 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Chemnitz in B-17 43-39079 14-Feb-45; downed by flak near Wiesbaden. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 12350
Awards: AM (2OLC), PH.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-830817
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15127428
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13038321
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16076929 / O-2060492
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36658598
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
Places
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Chicago, Illinois, USA | 6 October 1919 | Son of John F. and Helen Gaik. Husband to Ann [Sorbellini] Gaik, father to Gloria. |
|
Died |
Wiesbaden, Germany | 14 February 1945 | Failed to Return (FTR) Chemnitz in B-17 43-39079 14-Feb-45; downed by flak near Wiesbaden. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 12350 |
|
Buried |
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums Justice, Cook County, IL | 21 May 1949 | Re-Interred Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums Justice, Cook County, Illinois |
|
Based Killed in Action (KIA) |
Framlingham | 14 February 1945 | Assigned to 569BS, 390BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources
Added a "-" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12350 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
