Bryce Charles Gibson, Jr., aged 23, was born on February 26, 1922 in Gainesville, Texas. He was the son of Bryce Charles Gibson and Alta Mae Sandusky Gibson. He served in the 84th Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a First Lieutenant and Navigator on the C47 #43-15493 plane during World War II. The plane took off from Maisoncelles, France on a Glider Towing mission over Wesel, Germany. The aircraft was hit by flak while towing a glider as part of the Rhein crossing (Operation Varsity). The aircraft was first hit in the right-wing behind the engine and subsequently near the navigator's station and in the centre of the aircraft. The two gliders (CG-4A's 43-39755 and 43-27466) were released and the aircraft crashed. One of the crew members was able to bail out. 1LT Gibson was killed in the crash and is buried now in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.
Airmen who perished on C-47A #43-15493:
Deer, Victor R - Capt, Pilot, IN
Gibson, Bryce C, Jr - 1st Lt, Navigator, TX
Nordgren, Earl C - S/Sgt, Radio Operator, WI
Trachta, Eldred - 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CO
T/Sgt. Paul B. LeFever - survived the crash and the war
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, https://aviation-safety.net