C47 mid-air collision Nov.26,1944 316 TCG

Luc,
Have you tried contacting Mike Ingrisano?  He is the author of an excellent book on the history of the 316th TCG.  His book is "VALOR WITHOUT ARMS:  A History of the 316th Troop Group,1942-1945", published by Merriam Press.  He writes from experience, as he was a member of the 316th.  According to his book Marcel O. Gerdin was the pilot of the aircraft that was lost.  He does have a little more information in the book.  The last email I had for Mike was:
mingnan@juno.com.  Hope this helps.

Luc,
According to the book, the Aircraft Number was #42-108877, of the 37th Squadron.  It was involved in a midair collision, Operation Eagle, with a plane from the 435th TCG.  Date was November 26, 1944.  Pilot was 2LT. Marcel O. Gerdin (previously wounded in Holland); Co-Pilot was 2LT Eugene H. Simmons; Crew Chief was T/Sgt. Floyd H. Webster; Radio Operator was S/Sgt. Anthony G. Cimmino.  Mike also states in his book that Cimmino and Webster are interred at the American Cemetery at Henri Chapelle.  I know that Mike was a member of the 37th Squadron and will have personal information.  My last contact with him was in January of 2007 when he help me tremendously by furnishing information on the death of my Uncle.  If for any reason you are unable to contact Mike, let me know and I'll furnish you everything I can from his book.  My email is:  lkane@elp.rr.com.
Larry Kane
El Paso, Texas 

Larry,

In the otherwise detailed book "Valor Without Arms" (which by the way is online via Google Books) no serial is given for the 316th TCG C-47 that was involved in the mid-air collision with the 435th TCG C-47 outside Liège, Belgium.

Regards,

Leendert





 

Hi all,
I am a current member of the 37 Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany.  We are trying to put together a Wall of Heroes in our squadron meeting space.  We recognize that our squadron has a long legacy of courageous men who have paved the way in aviation and troop/cargo airlift.  Currently, I am trying to piece together the names (along with family members, pictures, awards, gravesite locations, and dates and circumstances of death) of all the men in the 37TCS who died during WWII.  I am currently reading and trying to contact Mike Ingrisano to get more information.  Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.   
 
Thanks,
Lt Andrew Richter
37 Airlift Squadron