Gilbride James William

Name:

James William Gilbride

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-740168

Unit:

343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1943-11-29

State:

Illinois

Cemetery:

Camp Butler National Cemetery, Illinois

Plot:

Section C

Row:

Grave:

Site 128

Decoration:

Comments:

James William Gilbride was born on February 2, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of William L. Gilbride and Bess Marie Gilbride. He was married to Vera Etta Eddy Olson.

James served in the Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, First Lieutenant and Fighter pilot. He was Killed in Action on November 29, 1943, in Koekange, Netherlands, as the pilot of P-38H 42-67097, while on a mission to escort bombers attacking at Bremen, Germany. His aircraft was battle-damaged in an attack by German fighters but he was able to bale out of the stricken aircraft. Unfortunately, his parachute failed to open and he was killed.

1Lt Gilbride is now buried in the Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com