Michael W Gillen
Military
Personal records
Object Number - UPL 38263 - Gossage crew
Michael Gillen was Radio Operator on board B-17 #42-30259 'Damifino II' on a 24 September 1943 practice flight to test PFF equipment and technique. Intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down. Ditched North Sea. 5 men died. Michael was among the 5 men who were rescued by Royal Navy torpedo boats and spent the night with them on the French coast. Returned to duty. MACR 778. He was later assigned to the Donald H. Moede crew and completed his tour.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17051757
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046800 at enlistment, then O-673491
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36264332
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31002387 at enlistment, then O-676883
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 10601362
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Damifino ii
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 24 September 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New York City, New York | 9 September 1919 | the son of Patrick and Catherine Gillen |
|
Enlisted |
27 July 1942 | Newark, New Jersey | |
|
Other Rescued in the North Sea |
24 September 1943 | by a Royal Navy torpedo boat after ditching of B-17 42-30259 and returned to duty | |
|
Other Honorably discharged |
9 October 1945 | ||
|
Died |
27 May 2002 | Wrightstown, Burlington County, New Jersey | |
| Hudson County, New Jersey | |||
|
Buried |
Michael Gillen rests at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, Burlington County, New Jersey |
Revisions
Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
MACR 778
NARA WWII Enlistment records
US Census 1930
VA Gravesite Locator
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / self; 100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001; MACR 778