Gese Albert L.

Monuments

1Lt Albert L. Gese (20th Fighter Group) French Assistance Memorial

Name:

Albert L. Gese

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

Unit:

77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

2022-04-26

State:

South Dakota

Cemetery:

Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal

Comments:

Albert L. Gese was born on January 5, 1920, in Bowdle, South Dakota. He served in the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of the P-38 Lightning #42-67462 during World War II.

On June 12, 1944, at 06H30, 1Lt Gese took off from Station 367 in Kings Cliffe, England, for an armed reconnaissance mission. At 09:30, his plane was shot down by light flak during the attack of a German convoy. His right engine was set on fire. 1Lt Gese ejected around 700 feet. His P-38 crashed at the commune of Ste Honorine-la-Guillaume, about 4.5 km northwest of Chênedouit, France. Through the help of the inhabitants of Chênedouit, 1Lt Geese was able to evade German capture and survive. He returned to the UK on August 22, 1944.

1Lt Gese died on April 26, 2022, at the age of 102, and is now buried in the Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net