Gordon Daniel "Fitz" Fitzgerald (born 1913)
Expects to Sail Soon
A letter received by the Harry Stewards from Gordon Fitzgerald, a former Lowell boy, says he expects to sail overseas with his outfit very soon. "Fitz" is a bombardier on one of Uncle Sam's big bombers. He says they have named their ship "Bodacious Critter" -- Snuffy Smith Style -- and expect to give 'em all they've got. Gordon is the son of the Dan Fitzgeralds, former residents here, now living at Blue Island, Ill.The following article was found in the May 18, 1944, Lowell Tribune on page 3, column 2:
S/Sgt. Gordon Fitzgerald Writes
Writing the Harry Stewards, S/Sgt. Gordon Fitzgerald, stationed with the air corps overseas, says he has been overseas 13 months and in combat seven months of that time. He said he has made more missions over enemy territory than he is years old, and that "we keep hammering the 'Heinies' every day possible, but they still insist on giving us a warm welcome in some spots, so we will have to keep on giving them some more medicine." "Fitz" also said that if there were any Lowell boys in the territory where he is located, he would like to have their address.Gordon lived here with his parents, the Dan Fitzgeralds, until they moved to Blue Island a number of years ago.
The following Sept. 14, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4 column 2:
Home from Overseas
S/Sgt. Norman Dinwiddie, who has been overseas the past two years arrived home last week, and is visiting his parents, the Keith Dinwiddies, former Lowell residents, now residing at Hammond. After his furlough, Norman will probably be assigned to duty in the states for a time. He informed us that Sgt. Gordon Fitzgerald, a former Lowell boy, was on the same boat with him. "Fitz" will visit his parents, the Dan Fitzgeralds, at Blue Island, Ill.The following Sept. 21, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2 columns 1-3:
Sixty Missions for T/Sgt. Gordon D. Fitzgerald
With a First Tactical Air Force B-26 Marauder Group -- T/Sgt. Gordon D. Fitzgerald, of Blue Island, has been awarded the Air Medal by the headquarters of Major General John K. Cannon's 12th Army Air Force, for "meritorious achievement."Sgt. Fitzgerald, an aerial engineer gunner, was decorated for a mission last January when marauders attacked and destroyed numerous enemy aircraft and plastered hangars and other field installations at the Ciampico airdrome at Rome.
Another dispatch from the same group headquarters says: T/Sgt. Gordon D. Fitzgerald, of Blue Island, has flown more that 60 combat missions with AAF B -- 26 Marauder bombers of the First Tactical Air Force in the Mediterranean theater of operations.
An Engineer-gunner, the 31-year-old flier has been with Marauders attacking targets in Rome, Florence, the Anzio beachhead, Po Valley, and southern France During the recent Allied push which rolled the Germans back from Rome to the Gothic line, Sgt. Fitzgerald flew missions every day supporting the ground troops.
"Our roughest missions were around Anzio in February and March," Sgt. Fitzgerald said. "On one attack, flak came into my tail turret position and was heading right for me until the ammunition track loaded with .50 calibre bullets stopped it. On another mission, German anti-aircraft shells shot out the gasoline lines from one wing tank but I was able to transfer most of the fuel before it leaked out."
Overseas since April, 1943, he helped train French air force crews in addition to flying combat missions. A graduate of Lowell, Ind., high school, he was employed by the Masury-Young Co. in Chicago, before entering the AAF. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Fitzgerald, reside in Blue Island.
Sgt. Fitzgerald said he would rather fly combat missions in Marauders than in any other bomber. "In over 60 missions, we have never had to return early because of mechanical failure. That is the type of plane you like to be with when you are over enemy territory," he said.
Blue Island, Ill., Standard-Herald.
"Fitz" is now home on furlough visiting his parents, the Dan Fitzgeralds who now reside at Blue Island. He will, without doubt, visit his many friends here at the former family home before returning to duty.
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