World War II Honoree

Nelson Gidding

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED AS A NAVIGATOR ON A B-26 MARAUDER. THE BOMBER WAS SHOT DOWN AND THE PILOT MADE A BELLY LANDING IN THE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF ROME. THE CREW MEMBERS HID IN CAVES NEAR A VILLAGE FOR A MONTH BEFORE THEY WERE BETRAYED BY AN ITALIAN FASCIST AND HANDED OVER TO THE GERMANS. DURING HIS 18 MONTHS IN PRISONER-OF-WAR CAMPS IN ITALY AND GERMANY, HE BEGAN WRITING A NOVEL BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCES AS A PRISONER. HE FINISHED THE NOVEL AFTER THE WAR AND IT WAS PUBLISHED AS 'END OVER END' IN 1946. DIED MAY 2, 2004.