World War II Honoree

Gilbert A. Pagel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Yuma, Colorado

Honored By

Arnold A. Wright

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED SERVICE ON DECEMBER 29, 1942. ON MAY 16, 1944, ASSIGNED DUTY AS TAIL GUNNER ON A B-24 BOMBER ON A MISSION TO A GERMAN AIRFIELD IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY GROUND FLAK AND THEN WAS ATTACKED BY GERMAN ME109. A 20MM SHELL CAME THROUGH TAIL GLASS AND HIT HIS HELMET, KNOCKING HIM DOWN. THE SHELL WENT THROUGH THE HELMET, GLANCED OFF OF HIS HEAD AND DENTED THE BACK OF THE HELMET. HE WAS ABLE TO BAIL OUT, LANDING IN A SMALL VILLAGE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM THE YUGOSLAVIA BORDER. CAPTURED BY CIVIL POLICE AND LATER CONFINED TO STALAG LUFT III.