Thoma, Edward Paul

Individual Personnel Data
Name Thoma, Edward Paul   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-693486   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 546th Bomb Squadron morning report dated 21 March 1944, effective 18 March 1944.
Duty Co-pilot / Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 20 June 1944
Results Killed In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Virginia: Section 12, Grave 1256
DecorationsThe Distinguished Flying Cross awarded posthumously to Edward P. Thoma for extraordinary achievement.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
EDWARD P. THOMA, O-693486, FIRST LIEUTENANT, Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as Deputy Leader of a Bombardment Group of B-17 aircraft on a bombing mission over Germany, 20 June 1944. On this date, the lead aircraft of the group in which Lieutenant Thoma was flying was forced to leave the formation. Demonstrating outstanding skill, Lieutenant Thoma assumed the lead of the group and directed the formation through an excellent turn at the Initial Point. In spite of heavy flak Lieutenant Thoma refused to take evasive action which might have interfered with the accuracy of the bombing and continued straight and level over the target. Fragments of anti-aircraft fire from a shell bursting directly below his aircraft penetrated the fuselage, killing Lieutenant Thoma almost instantly. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by this officer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of The United States. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.

Citation Source: Headquarters, 1st Bombardment Division, General Orders #176 dated 18 July 1944
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 4 June 1923
  • Promoted to 1st Lt on 13 June 1944 (microfilm 0641-00085).
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty on 10 June 1944 to American Red Cross Club (a Flak House) per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #108 dated 9 June 1944.
  • Thoma was killed instantly by a flak burst, while leading the Group on the bomb run, having taken over for the original Group Lead, Major Stallings. His co-pilot, Lt Strand, completed the bomb run successfully and led the formation back to Grafton Underwood.
Related Documents Accident Report # 44-05-01-505⇓ (1.558 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Gekakis, Anthony⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Thoma, Edward PaulCo-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Simmons, Wilbur (NMI)⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Dolson, Henry James, "HANK"⇗NavigatorFCMEW
S/SGT. Zinninger, William Maynard⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Wilson, John Franklin⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Ticknor, Edward Charles⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Connolly, William Edward, Jr, "Bill"⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Tucker, Clifton Roland⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. McDonald, Edward William⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 22 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 42‑37776⇗ 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 42‑37776⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
85⇗ 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97251⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1215 hrs because he could not locate the Group due to bad weather.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97251⇗ Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off
This aircraft did not take off. Crew did not transfer to a Spare Aircraft.
Sortie Report⇗
88⇗ 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑37776⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Flying Spare Aircraft; joined formation.
Sortie Report⇗
89⇗ 13 April 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑31222⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1157 hrs because #1 engine was running rough and smoking.
Sortie Report⇗
90⇗ 18 April 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑107083⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Attlebridge Airfield, AAF Station 120, on return due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
92⇗ 20 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Co-pilot 42‑107074⇗ Combat Mission Credit
A Wing, High Group.
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑107083⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
96⇗ 27 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Co-pilot 42‑97510⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
98⇗ 29 April 1944 Target: Industrial District
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97510⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
-- 1 May 1944 None
Non-combat sortie 		Co-pilot 42‑107074⇗ Aircraft landed a short distance before the runway pavement. Due to uneven surface ahead of the runway, the right main landing gear was damaged upon striking the runway edge. Shortly after, the right main gear collapsed, causing a ground loop, and some damage to aircraft. No crew were injured.
Sortie Report⇗
101⇗ 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97139⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High Squadron lead, low group. Turned back due to crew illness;
Sortie Report⇗
105⇗ 11 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Saarbrücken and Ehrang, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
115⇗ 25 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Sarreguemines and Blainville-sur-l'Eau, France 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group.
Sortie Report⇗
116⇗ 27 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group.
Sortie Report⇗
119⇗ 29 May 1944 Target: Focke-Wulf Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Krzesiny District, Poznań, Poland 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97139⇗ Combat Mission Credit
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 42‑97072⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
124⇗ 3 June 1944 Target: Coastal Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: Le Touquet, France 		Pilot 42‑97142⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
126⇗ 5 June 1944 Target: Field Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: La Fosse, France 		Pilot 42‑102601⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
128⇗ 6 June 1944 Target: Two Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Caen, France 		Pilot 42‑97139⇗ Combat Mission Credit
J Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
130⇗ 7 June 1944 Target: Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: Condé-sur-Noireau, France 		Pilot 42‑102620⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
131⇗ 8 June 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (41C) & Loire River Railroad Bridge (41D)
Type: Transportation
Location: Orleans, France 		Pilot 42‑31222⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41D Group, Group Deputy. Ground Spare aircraft, replaced 42‑97139. Bombed Primary Target.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
140⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
141⇗ 20 June 1944 Target: Oil Refineries
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Deputy. Assumed lead after Stallings aborted; Thoma (pilot) killed by flak over target, co-pilot and navigator seriously wounded.
Sortie Report⇗

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