World War II Honoree

Norman F. Christian

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

The Blanche Christian Family

Relationship

Son

SERGEANT, SERVED IN THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 96TH BOMB GROUP, 339TH SQUADRON, CREW #HH92 AT SNETTERTON HEATH, NORFOLK, GREAT BRITAIN. ON JULY 19, 1944, HIS PLANE FLEW A MISSION TO SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY TO BOMB THE BALL BEARING WORKS. HE WAS A RIGHT WAIST GUNNER ON A B-17 (#42-32045-'SILVER SLIPPER') WHICH WAS THE FIRST UNPAINTED B-17 TO FLY A COMBAT MISSION IN THE 8TH AIR FORCE. THE PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN NEAR REIL, GERMANY. ALL TEN CREW MEMBERS SURVIVED AND WERE TAKEN PRISONER. HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO STALAG 4D. AS ALLIED TROOPS GOT CLOSER, THE PRISONERS OF WAR WERE MARCHED ON FEBRUARY 5, 1945 TO STALAG 357 AT FALLING BOSTEL. ON APRIL 2, 1945, AS GENERAL PATTON’S TROOPS NEARED THEIR LOCATION, THE PRISONERS WERE MARCHED TO STALAG 11E AT SCHWININ. ON MAY 2, 1945, THEY WERE LIBERATED BY U.S. ARMY PERSONNEL.