World War II Honoree

Gilbert Edward Gerken

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Honored By

Diane Brewer & Mark Gerken

Relationship

Daughter & Son

FLEW 25 MISSIONS IN A B-17 OVER THE PLOESTI OIL FIELDS. FLEW OUT OF ITALY, WAS A POW FOR 6 MONTHS IN A ROMANIAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP. HE WAS THE BOTTOM TURRET GUNNER AND WAS PRESUMED DEAD BEFORE HIS PLANE CRASH LANDED IN ROMANIA. HE MANAGED TO MANUALLY CRANK HIMSELF BACK UP INTO THE BELLY OF THE PLANE BEFORE IT CRASHED. HE AND THE REST OF CREW WERE IMMEDIATELY CAPTURED BY ROMANIAN FARMERS AND TURNED OVER TO THE SOLDIERS AND IMPRISONED. ONE OF HIS FELLOW PRISONERS WAS ABLE TO BRIBE THE GUARDS FOR RADIO AND PARTS AND WAS ABLE TO CONTACT ALLIED FORCES WHICH CAME AND RESCUED THE PRISONERS. DURING THE RESCUE EFFORT HE AND MANY OTHER PRISONERS HELPED EVACUATE THE HOSPITAL OF INJURED U.S. SOLDIERS, SAVING MANY LIVES THAT DAY.