Winford A Gaines
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 27th Fighter Group 17th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Gela
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Elbert County, GA, USA | 7 January 1918 | |
|
Enlisted |
Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA | 13 August 1941 | |
|
Other Shot Down/Captured |
98058 Novara di Sicilia ME, Italy | 2 August 1943 | A-39A 42-83895 |
|
Other POW |
85368 Moosburg, Germany | 3 August 1943 | Stalag 7a |
|
Died |
Elberton, GA 30635, USA | 25 December 2008 | Winford Gaines was born January 7, 1918. He was the second son of Ora Adams Gaines and Ike Gaines. A graduate of Centerville High School, he received an associate degree from Young Harris College. In 1939 he joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to Radio School at Scott Field. He received his "flying wings" and was commissioned as a second Lieutenant at Cadet School in San Antonio, Texas in 1942. Following that he was deployed overseas as a fighter pilot assigned to the 27th Fighter Group. He flew P-51 Mustangs during World War II. On August 2, 1943 he was shot down over Sicily and was a Prisoner of War in Germany until April 29, 1945. He was forced to participate in the "Death March" in January 1945. He survived the march and remained a POW until General Patton liberated them. Mr. Gaines was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, World War II Victory Medal, European Medal with four bronze stars, and American Defense Medal. After his release from prison he was commissioned as a Captain and was a test pilot for the US Air Force. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1947. After that he attended the University of Georgia and received a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture in 1948. He retired from USDA Soil Conservation Service after 35 years. Mr. Gaines married Tommie Taylor in 1947. They were married for 53 years. He was a loyal and lifelong member of Coldwater United Methodist Church and a beloved member of the entire Coldwater community. |
|
Enlisted |
Elberton, GA 30635, USA | 31 December 2008 | Coldwater Cemetery Elberton Elbert County Georgia, USA |
|
Other Graduated |
Athens, GA, USA | University of Georgia B.S. in Agriculture |
Revisions
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes