2/Lt. James W. Gilbride


(F. Birtciel)

2/Lt. James W. Gilbride

343rd FS  15 March 1943 - 29 November 1943 (Killed in Action)

Assigned Aircraft

P-38H CY-L 42-67053 "Vivacious Vera"
(Assigned to Lt. Gilbride on 10 October 1943 and named after his wife).
Mission History

10 missions
Mission List
55th FG Mission # Date Target
03 17 October 1943 Sweep - Dutch Islands
05 19 October 1943 Sweep - Amiens Area
06 20 October 1943 Duren
08 24 October 1943 St. Andre L'Eure
09 03 November 1943 Wilhelmshaven
10 05 November 1943 Gelsenkirchen
11 07 November 1943 Sweep - Ostend-St. Omer Area
12 07 November 1943 Sweep - Lille Area
13 10 November 1943 Montdidier Airdrome
18 29 November 1943 Bremen
Air Scores 0-0-0
Ground Scores 0-0
Notes ASN - 0-740168
15 March 1943 - Joined the 343rd Fighter Squadron
Received the Silver Star for gallantry, when alone, he had attacked and driven off a group of enemy fighters who were attacking a crippled American bomber.
Lt. Gilbride bailed out of his aeroplane, but had a parachute failure.
MACR No. 01272
Lt. Gilbride is buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.
Memories  
Additional Photo Lt. Gilbride's Grave at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. (Stevin Oudshoorn)
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