Erickson, Gordon Bennett

Individual Personnel Data
Name Erickson, Gordon Bennett   ‡
⇗
Rank Flight Officer / Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-2044717   ‡
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #70 dated 11 March 1943, effective 11 March 1943.
  • Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 547th Bomb Squadron Morning Report Dated 3 September 1943, effective 3 September 1943.
  • Transferred to the Headquarters, 1st Bomb Wing, per 544th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 2 October 1943, effective 26 September 1943.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 4 July 1943
Results Evaded Capture
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 4 July 1943 per General Orders #133, Headquarters 8th Air Force dated 19 September 1943.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 31 March 1919
  • Gordon B. Erickson was shot down on 4 July 1943. He evaded capture and was returned to Allied Control on 13 August 1943 at Gibraltar, UK.
    He was reassigned to the 384th Bomb Group, 547th Bomb Squadron on 3 September 1943 and placed on Temporary Duty to Headquarters, 8th Air Force (G-2 Section) on 3 September 1943.
  • Appointed Second Lieutenant per 544th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 21 September 1943.
Related Documents Escape & Evasion Report # 65⇓ (Filesize N/A)
Post Loss Document File #5⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
Flt. Ofcr. Erickson, Gordon BennettPilotEV
2nd Lt. Dartt, Clifford Charles⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Hackley, Francis Mercer⇗NavigatorKIA
2nd Lt. Irvine, Donald Wesley⇗BombardierKIA
S/SGT. Welch, Paul Gerald⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Penly, Robert Horace⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerEV
S/SGT. Reandeau, Lawrence Joseph⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
CPL. Mankowitz, Charles (NMI)⇗Tail GunnerEV
S/SGT. Wingerter, Frank Jacob⇗Flexible GunnerEV
CPL. Coburn, James P⇗Flexible GunnerTR
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 3 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
2⇗ 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑29960⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Initially took off at 0553-1/2, landed at 0618, then took off again at 0630; reasons for this are unknown. Returned to base due to weather conditions; pilot was unable to maintain contact with the formation.
Sortie Report⇗
3⇗ 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Pilot 42‑29960⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
4⇗ 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France 		Pilot 42‑29960⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back with #1 oil cooler leaking; top turret and ball turret problems.
Sortie Report⇗
5⇗ 29 June 1943 Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Pilot 42‑30030⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
6⇗ 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France 		Pilot 42‑29960⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Low Squadron Deputy. Damaged by flak after the target, then further attacked by Me-109s; crashed near Belfonds, France. No MACR
Sortie Report⇗

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