Fred Douglas Gleason

Military

After four years of High School, Fred Gleason enlisted in January 1943. Trained as an Engineer/Gunner on B-17 bombers, he was sent to Europe. Assigned to the 447th Bomb Group/709th Bomb Squadron, he was shot down in B-17 #43-37788 on return of the 13 July 1944 mission to Munich. Evaded with the help of French patriots, he was back in England on 18 August 1944. See details at https://www.evasioncomete.be/fgleasofd.html

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16057414 and O-757199
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

California, United States 30 December 1922

Enlisted

Los Angeles, California, United States 12 January 1943

Other

Bailed out

France 13 July 1944 of B-17 # 43-37788

Other

Landed in parachute

near Boullare, France 13 July 1944 near Boullare, France

Other

Evaded

Villebout, France 13 July 1944 - 14 August 1944 Helped in his evasion by French patriots and underground members, he reached a secret camp in the Fréteval forest, south of Châteaudun, France. Liberated on 14 August 1944 by US troops, together with about 150 other hidden Allied airmen. Was back in England on 18 August 1944.

Died

Los Angeles, California, United States 5 October 2009
San Gabriel, California, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Updated website address in Bio

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1065
MACR 6938
Research for Gleason's page at http://www.evasioncomete.org/fgleasofd.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 6938 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database