Edwin Earnest Nolen was born on October 15, 1923, in Tennessee. He was the son of John L. Nolen and Sarah Frances McGonagill Nolen.

Edwin served in the 782nd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-24G #42-78322 during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, his crew took off from Pantanella, Italy, on a bombing mission over Friedrichshafen, Germany. On their return, they were attacked and shot down by German aircraft. His aircraft crashed 200m north of the Lermoos Village Church, region of Tyrol, Austria. None of the crew members survived.

TSgt Nolen is now buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.tracesofwar.com, www.honorstates.org