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name
GIBLIN, George Patrick - Date of
birth
12 April 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California -
Hometown
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-734888 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
1 August 1943 - Place of
death
Floresti, Rumania
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 4 | 57 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph M. Giblin (father)
Minnie Giblin (mother)
Arthur Giblin (brother)
Henry Giblin (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-11776 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Jersey Jackass/Bashful
Destination: Ploesti, Rumania
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 171
More information
George Giblin attended college for two years.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Hamilton Field, California on 10 April 1942.
The famous raid on the oil refineries of Ploesti was executed with a low level attack. Because the pilot attempted a crash-landing near Floresti, northwest of Ploesti, it is almost certain the airplane was hit by flak while approaching the target.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Seven men were killed of which probably two died from severe burns in a hospital.
This was the first mission of this crew.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.pyramidiers.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, B-24 Best Web Facebook / Rob Brooks