World War II Honoree

Hugh Francis Gibney, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Meriden, Connecticut

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Staff Sergeant. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps July 15, 1942 at Hartford, Connecticut. Following his Basic Military Training; he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Left Waist Gunner aboard the B-17H ‘Flying Fortress’ Bomber “Yard-Bird II”, assigned to the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Royal Air Force Station Molesworth Location: Cambridgeshire, England. Saturday, October 2, 1943 the 303rd Bomber Group participated in a Bombing Mission to the industrial area of Emden, Germany. His aircraft with eleven crewmembers on board was hit by gunfire from two German ME-109s Fighters, after leaving the target. When his Fortress peeled off, out of control, crashing into the Wadden Sea (North Sea). His remains were recovered with burial in the Margraten Battlefield Cemetery; Aachen, Holland. In the post-war era, this Airman’s family requested that he be buried with Military Honor at: Ardennes American Cemetery Location: Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following Decorations posthumously: Air Medal, Purple Heart, and his Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Purple Heart for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.