First Lieutenant Edward Charles Gelsleichter, An Airman's Story
First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter, An Airman's Story
First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter was born on April 20, 1921. Before the outbreak of World War II, he worked as a carpenter in Schenectady, New York, building a civilian life that would soon be interrupted by global conflict.
On December 16, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in response to America’s entry into the war. After completing bombardier training, First Lieutenant Gelsleichter was assigned to the 431st Bomber Squadron, 11th Bomber Group, and deployed to the Pacific Theater as part of the strategic air campaign against Japanese forces.
On July 28, 1944, the B-24J Liberator aircraft on which First Lieutenant Gelsleichter was serving—serial number 42-73018—was last seen engulfed in flames before crashing into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Truk. None of the crew members were recovered.
First Lieutenant Edward C. Gelsleichter is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, honoring his service and sacrifice far from home.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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