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Kowalski, Ellwood David

Individual Personnel Data
Name Kowalski, Ellwood David   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-793416   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #70 dated 11 March 1943, effective 11 March 1943.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 12 June 1943
Results Killed In Flying Accident
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 2 March 1917
  • Killed in flying accident while landing at Grafton Underwood after a training mission in aircraft 42-30036. Pilot (Lt E Kowalski) executed a pull-up maneuver upon observing red light from control tower and struck aircraft 42-30131 (pilot Lt F Witt) which was just above. All five crew aboard Kowalski's aircraft were killed: crew aboard Lt Witt's aircraft survived uninjured. Aircraft 42-30036 was not following established traffic pattern prior to collision.
Related Documents Accident Report # 43-06-12-502 (29.679 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Kowalski, Ellwood DavidPilotKIFA
2nd Lt. Bell, Joseph WCo-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Eggers, Samuel Andrew, JrNavigatorKIFA
2nd Lt. Murphy, Leo AmbroseBombardierKIFA
S/SGT. Blaise, Jean LeRoyRadio Operator / GunnerKIFA
S/SGT. Bossinger, George AlpheusEngineer / Top Turret GunnerEV
SGT. Penick, Eugene WalkerBall Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Majors, Hugh DavidTail GunnerTR
SGT. Hardin, David JacksonFlexible GunnerKIA
S/SGT. McKnight, Harry AlvinFlexible GunnerPOW

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 0 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
-- 12 June 1943 None
Non-combat sortie
Pilot 42‑30036 Crashed due to a collision with aircraft 42‑30131 on short final while landing at Grafton Underwood after a training mission. Pilot (2Lt Ellwood Kowalski) executed a pull-up maneuver upon observing red light from control tower and struck aircraft 42‑30131 (pilot 2Lt F Witt) which was just above. All five crew aboard Kowalski's aircraft were killed: crew aboard Lt Witt's aircraft survived uninjured. Aircraft 42‑30036 was not following established traffic pattern prior to collision.
Sortie Report

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