An Airman's Story: First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter



First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter was born in 1921.

Before World War II, he worked in Schenectady, New York as a carpenter, enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 16, 1942, in response to World War II.

Trained as a bombardier, First Lieutenant Edward Gelsleichter was assigned to the 431st Bomber Squadron,  11th Bomber Group, and deployed to the Pacific theater.

On July 28, 1944,  the B24J,  #42-73018, that First Lieutenant Gelsleichter was serving aboard, was last seen in flames and crashing into the Pacific off the coast of Truk.   None of the airmen were recovered.

First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter is memorialized on the Tablet of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.



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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Schenectady, NY, USA

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