Gebhardt William P Lt

Assigned Aircraft	P-51D 44-13784
Mission History	Not Known
Mission List	Not Known
Air Scores	1-0-0
Ground Scores	0-0
Score Detail	19 September 1944 Me-109 destroyed (air) S/Dusseldorf
Notes	01 November 1944 - Bailed out of P-51D 44-13784 after tail fell off. Landed in English Channel, 4 miles South of Orfordness and was picked up by a passing naval destroyer. 29 November 1944 - Awarded 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal 13 December 1944 - Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 24 December 1944 - Transferred to 70th Replacement Depot
Memories	'One of the smoothest pilots I have ever known. Geb could really fly smooth formation. One day while on a practice mission I was in a dive behind Geb when I saw the tail of his ship rip off. Geb bailed out and landed in the Channel about two miles off shore. Luckily he landed near a convoy which was passing by at the time. One of the escorting destroyers swung over and picked him out of the water. This accident happened in November and the water was plenty cold. As usual, the dinghy snapped free when his chute opened, and to make matters worse his Mae West failed to inflate. Consequently he had to swim to keep himself afloat. Geb later told us that with all his heavy flying clothes on it was all he could do to keep his head above water.' Dick Herbst
Additional Photo	Lt. Gebhardt and ground crew (Dick Herbst via 55th FG Newsletter) Nb. Photo opens in new window. Close window to return to this page