Gordy, Paul Pate

Individual Personnel Data
Name Gordy, Paul Pate   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-736507   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #32 dated 1 February 1943, effective 1 February 1943.
Duty Co-pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 29 July 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 29 July 1943 per General Orders #41, Headquarters, Miami District, AAF Personnel Distribution Command dated 21 September 1945.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 15 April 1922
Related Documents Post Loss Document File #12⇗
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelGordy Signing⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Edwards, Floyd Clinton⇗PilotPOW
2nd Lt. Gordy, Paul PateCo-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Koenig, Robert Martin⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Kelly, Victor Thomas⇗BombardierKIA
S/SGT. Ellis, Milzia Coleman⇗Radio Operator / GunnerTR
S/SGT. DeElmo, William Fowler⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
S/SGT. Svirsky, Leon (NMI)⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Guzy, Edward Frank⇗Tail GunnerTR
S/SGT. Meyer, Alfred (NMI)⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Miller, Walter Amos⇗Flexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The Edwards Crew joined the 545th BS at Wendover on 1 February 1943. Identified as "Crew #4" on the assignment order, they became the first "Crew #52" in the squadron.
Before moving to England, Ellis was transferred out of the Group and was replaced by S/Sgt Robert P Goldman as Radio Operator: DeElmo was later replaced by S/Sgt Charles P Tate, and Miller took over as Engineer.
This revised crew flew to England and are the ones pictured in the standard crew photo in the photo gallery. They flew several missions together with occasional substitutions until Edwards was wounded on the 25 July 1943 mission. He recovered after several months and returned to combat duty, later becoming a lead pilot. Guzy left the crew after the 25 July 1943 mission, and flew no more missions with the 384th after that.
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 6 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1⇗ 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium 		Co-pilot 42‑3216⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Tail gunner's feet were frostbitten.
Sortie Report⇗
3⇗ 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Co-pilot 42‑3216⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back with #3 engine running rough, low oil pressure and smoking; feathered engine.
Sortie Report⇗
4⇗ 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France 		Co-pilot 42‑3216⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
5⇗ 29 June 1943 Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Co-pilot 42‑3216⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
6⇗ 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France 		Co-pilot 42‑29985⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
10⇗ 25 July 1943 Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑5855⇗ Combat Mission Credit
The pilot was wounded shortly after crossing the enemy coast, so co-pilot flew most of the mission.
Sortie Report⇗
12⇗ 29 July 1943 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑29700⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Shot down by enemy aircraft after attacking target of opportunity (TOO) with the group. No MACR.
Sortie Report⇗

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