World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Earl W. Osborne
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Greensboro, North Carolina
Honored By
John Meurs
ENGINEER WITH THE 385TH BOMB GROUP, 550TH BOMB SQUADRON, OF THE 8TH U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES BASED IN ENGLAND. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1944, HIS BOMBER, THE B-17G, SERIAL # 42-107045, WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTERS ON A MISSION TO BERLIN. DURING THE ATTACK ONE ENGINE WAS KNOCKED CLEAR OFF THE WING AND ANOTHER PROPELLER COULD NOT BE FEATHERED. THE TOP-TURRET AND THE TAIL GUNS WERE SHOT TO PIECES AND THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT KEEP PACE WITH THE FORMATION. THE WHOLE CREW BAILED OUT SAFELY AND WAS TAKEN PRISONER.