Glenn Eby
2nd Lt. Glen Sidney Eby, was the Co-Pilot of the plane, "The Boardwalk Flyer", A/C # 42-52195. He enlisted in the Army Air Force while living in Spokane, Washington and took his oath on May 20, 1942. He reported for duty at Santa Anna Air Base, Santa Anna, CA on Nov. 12, 1942 and was assigned to Squadron 11. Completing his basic training at Merced, CA, he then began his primary training at Cal-Aero Academy at Ontario, CA. He graduated from Fort Sumner Army Air Force Pilot School, Class 43-J, on October 1, 1943 and was appointed a Second Lieutenant. Reporting for permanent duty at 289th Hdqrs 18 RW, Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 16, 1943, he was transported the next day to the 39th Bombardment Group (H) at Davis-Monthan Field in Tucson, AZ. On October 30, 1943 he was assigned to his permanent unit for final training as a co-pilot in the 15th Air Force's 459th Bombardment Group, 759th Bomber Squadron at Westover Field, Massachusetts. He and his crew, along with all the other crews of the 756th, 757th,758th, and 759th Squadrons of the 459th Bomb Group left New York on or about January 25th, 1944 to fly to Italy to join the war effort. He flew out of Giulia Field near Cerignola, Italy and completed at least 23 missions. On April 25, 1944, flying his 24th mission, to bomb a Fiat aircraft manufacturing facility producing planes for the Germans in Turin, Italy, "The Boardwalk Flyer", tail # 42-52195 crashed near Florence, Italy. There have been several accounts of that crash including the one in Mr. McCarty's book, "Coffee Tower", on pages 64, 100, and 103. Most all agree that his plane collided with "Bet's Bet", tail # 42-52377, piloted by Lt. Don Stevenson. Their erratic flying was probably due to oxygen deprivation. It was believed that my father was killed in the collision impact and several other crew members were lost as well, including one from Stevenson's plane. See MACR # 4632
MACR: 4632
2nd Lt Glenn Sidney Eby was assigned to the 459th BG 759th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Co-Pilot.
The following information on Glenn Eby is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on 2nd Lt Eby. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Glenn Eby's military record please contact us.
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Rank |
General Order |
Date |
Notes |
Award |
Ribbon & Device |
Glen Eby |
2nd Lt |
508 |
05/17/1944 |
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AM |
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Glen Eby |
2nd Lt |
508 |
05/17/1944 |
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AM/OLC |
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12/01/1943 December Roster 17 May 1944 15th AAF General Order 508 Air Medal 17 May 1944 15th AAF General Order 508 Air Medal/Oak Leaf Cluster 17 May 1944 15th AAF General Order 508 Air Medal 17 May 1944 15th AAF General Order 508 Air Medal/Oak Leaf Cluster
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