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Gowder, Charles Fred

Individual Personnel Data
Name Gowder, Charles Fred
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-754335
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #56 dated 24 March 1944, effective 24 March 1944.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 18 July 1944
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsAwarded the Distinguished Service Cross for 'extraordinary heroism' while piloting his aircraft in an attack on 24 April 1944.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for completing 31 combat missions.
Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 24 April 1944 per General Orders #66, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 3 May 1944.
Awarded the Air Medal for completing five combat missions.
Awarded three oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal for completing 11, 17 and 23 combat missions.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. CHARLES F. GOWDER, O-754335, Second Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy, 24 April 1944. On this date, Lieutenant Gowder was serving as pilot of a heavy bomber on a mission against military installations in Germany. As a result of repeated attacks by large numbers of enemy fighters before and during the bombing run, Lieutenant Gowder was wounded, the navigator was killed, the bombardier was wounded, and the airplane sustained heavy damage. In spite of his wounds and the difficulty of flying the damaged airplane, Lieutenant Gowder, displaying great courage and determination to bomb the target, continued in formation, directing the actions of his remaining crew members, and released the bomb load on the target by means of the emergency release. After leaving the target area he was forced by a lack of oxygen to fly at a low altitude. Despite further enemy fighter attacks, Lieutenant Gowder was finally able to reach a friendly base. The extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gowder upon this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from California.

Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 26 February 1916
  • Granted a four day sick leave of absence effective on or about 27 April 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #78 dated 26 April 1944.
  • Placed on two days Temporary Duty to Station 586 on 27 June 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #122 dated 26 June 1944.
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Gowder, Charles FredPilotCT
2nd Lt. Thompson, Willard Hayes, "Will"⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Fazio, Vincent Joseph, "Vince"⇗NavigatorKIA
2nd Lt. Brooks, James Joseph, "JJ"⇗BombardierCT
S/SGT. Barnes, Francis Eugene⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
SGT. Beaugh, George (NMI), "Opelousas Kid"⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
PVT. Sacco, Salvatore R, "Sal"⇗Ball Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Williamson, James Edward, "Cotton"⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Leber, Richard Edward, "Dick"⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 31 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
83⇗ 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France 		Co-pilot 42‑97081⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41 Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
84⇗ 28 March 1944 Target: Dijon-Longvic Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dijon, France 		Co-pilot 42‑31740⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
85⇗ 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97510⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑31211⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 0928 hrs; could not locate formation due to bad weather. Landed away at RAF Witchford, Cambridgeshire.
Sortie Report⇗
88⇗ 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97081⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
89⇗ 13 April 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107058⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107058⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
94⇗ 24 April 1944 Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107058⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Manston, Kent, on return due to crew casualties and battle damage. This aircraft had two killed and four wounded aboard. 2nd Lt. Charles Gowder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. S/Sgt. James E. Williamson, tail gunner, was awarded the Silver Star.
Sortie Report⇗
109⇗ 19 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107057⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
111⇗ 21 May 1944 Target: NOBALL (Supergun Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Mimoyecques, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group A.
Sortie Report⇗
112⇗ 22 May 1944 Target: Warehouse District in the Dock Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
116⇗ 27 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group.
Sortie Report⇗
117⇗ 28 May 1944 Target: Junkers Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Lead Group, original Low Squadron Deputy. Turned back at 0952 hrs due to illness of tail gunner.
Sortie Report⇗
122⇗ 2 June 1944 Target: Gun Battery with six 155mm guns, Tactical Support
Type: Military
Location: Hardelot (5 miles S of Boulogne), France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
126⇗ 5 June 1944 Target: Field Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: La Fosse, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group.
Sortie Report⇗
128⇗ 6 June 1944 Target: Two Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Caen, France 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
M Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
131⇗ 8 June 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (41C) & Loire River Railroad Bridge (41D)
Type: Transportation
Location: Orleans, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41D Group, High Squadron Lead. Bombed Primary Target.
Sortie Report⇗
133⇗ 12 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge 48°29'N,2°0'W
Type: Transportation
Location: La Vicomté-sur-Rance, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
134⇗ 13 June 1944 Target: Dreux Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux, France 		Pilot 42‑107121⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
135⇗ 14 June 1944 Target: Coulommiers Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Coulommiers, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Wing, Lead Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
136⇗ 15 June 1944 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: La Possonnièrre, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
137⇗ 16 June 1944 Target: Athies Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Laon, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
141⇗ 20 June 1944 Target: Oil Refineries
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
142⇗ 21 June 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead. Turned back over base at 0545 hrs due to illness of ball turret gunner.
Sortie Report⇗
143⇗ 22 June 1944 Target: V-2 Storage & Launch Site
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
149⇗ 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
151⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
152⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Blanc Pignon Ferme, Cléty, France 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
153⇗ 7 July 1944 Target: Me-109 Aircraft Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group, 41st A wing.
Sortie Report⇗
155⇗ 11 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
156⇗ 12 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
157⇗ 13 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗

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