Gerald Howard Altig (19, 16 July 1922, Spalding Greeley County, Nebraska), a resident of Primrose, Boone County, Nebraska, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-59, Order No. 10.735) on 30 June 1942 in Albion, Boone County, Nebraska. He was employed by Elwin R. Shaver. Gerald listed his father, Chris Altig, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6 ft. in height, 160 lbs., with a light brown complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Gerald Howard Altig enlisted in the U.S. Army (S/N 37266507) in October 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. At the time he entered the Army, he was employed at Primrose, Nebraska. His training took him to Port Arthur, Texas where he was stationed for almost two years. He also spent some time at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
July 1943 - Corporal Altig, Texas.
February 1944 - Sgt. Gerald Altig, South Dakota
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia in December 1944. T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
He was first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war his remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands - Block 2, Row 7, Grave 891 (D-D No. 3006). The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin (father, Mr. Chris W. Altig), Technical Sergeant Gerald Howard Altig was buried in his final resting place in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) – Plot N, Row 15, Grave 151.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sgt. Gerald Altig, Son of C.W. Altig of Imperial, Killed in Action June 18
It was with the deepest regret that the people of this community learned early this week of the death of T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, son of C. W. Altig of this city.
Mr. Altig received a telegram Monday from the War Department stating that his son, who was a radio operator on a B-24 bomber, had been killed in action June 18. T/Sgt. Altid was with a part of the U.S. Army Air Forces which is based on Mindoro Island, in the Philippines. Gerald Altig was nearly 23 years of age, and had been in the service about three years... Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 05 July 1945, page 1.
Gerald Howard Altig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cheston W. Altig, was born July 16, 1922, at Spalding, Nebr., and departed form this life June 18, 1945, at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and two days.
Gerald received his education in Spalding....Spalding was the former home of the Altig family and Gerald's birthplace...
He was preceded in death by his mother, who passed away in September 1922, and brothers, Bernard C., Louis C., and Russell L., Bernard having passed away in 1919, Louis in 1921, and Russell in 1934.
He is survived by his father, C. W. Altig, of Imperial, Nebr., and one brother, Charles W. Altig, with a tank battalion in service overseas; one sister, Mrs. Thelma May Maynard, of Bend, Ore., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted by a Chaplain of the Army Air Corps.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
from last weeks issue of The Spading (Nebr.) Enterprise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMRY CHAPLAIN TELLS OF DEATH OF GERALD ALTI, AIR FORCE RADIOMAN
Headquarters 380th Bombardment Group (H) AAF
Office of the Chaplain
A.P.O. 3210
5 July 1945
Mr. Chris W. Altig
Imperial, Nebraska
Dear Mr. Altig:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write regarding the death of your son, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, who was killed in action 18 June 1945. I realize the greatness of your loss, and I sincerely wish there was some way to alleviate the anguish which you are suffering.
Our aircraft were leaving for a mission against Balikpapan, Borneo, at about five o'clock in the morning, when the plane in which your son was radio man was seen to be airborne, then settle and crash, exploding on impact. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The following day, funeral services with full military honors were conducted for your son. I conducted these services, and a large part of the 380th Bomb Group was present.
Gerald was buried in U.S.A.F. Cemetery No. 1, San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. The cemetery is on a hill overlooking the town of San Jose. I am enclosing a picture taken the day of the funeral.
It will be of comfort to you to know that the officers and men of this group held Gerald in the highest esteem, and all appreciate the great work he did while with us.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, nor can we understand the ways of our eternal God, but may we always turn to Him for peace and comfort during our hours of trial and bereavement.
All men must die, but not all men can die for something. Gerald Altig died for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this."
Sympathetically,
B.C. TRENT, Chaplain
(Capt.) U.S.A.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
~
Entered the service from Nebraska.
Gerald Howard Altig enlisted in the U.S. Army (S/N 37266507) in October 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. At the time he entered the Army, he was employed at Primrose, Nebraska. His training took him to Port Arthur, Texas where he was stationed for almost two years. He also spent some time at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
July 1943 - Corporal Altig, Texas.
February 1944 - Sgt. Gerald Altig, South Dakota
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia in December 1944. T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
He was first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war his remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands - Block 2, Row 7, Grave 891 (D-D No. 3006). The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin (father, Mr. Chris W. Altig), Technical Sergeant Gerald Howard Altig was buried in his final resting place in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) – Plot N, Row 15, Grave 151.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sgt. Gerald Altig, Son of C.W. Altig of Imperial, Killed in Action June 18
It was with the deepest regret that the people of this community learned early this week of the death of T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, son of C. W. Altig of this city.
Mr. Altig received a telegram Monday from the War Department stating that his son, who was a radio operator on a B-24 bomber, had been killed in action June 18. T/Sgt. Altid was with a part of the U.S. Army Air Forces which is based on Mindoro Island, in the Philippines. Gerald Altig was nearly 23 years of age, and had been in the service about three years... Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 05 July 1945, page 1.
Gerald Howard Altig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cheston W. Altig, was born July 16, 1922, at Spalding, Nebr., and departed form this life June 18, 1945, at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and two days.
Gerald received his education in Spalding....Spalding was the former home of the Altig family and Gerald's birthplace...
He was preceded in death by his mother, who passed away in September 1922, and brothers, Bernard C., Louis C., and Russell L., Bernard having passed away in 1919, Louis in 1921, and Russell in 1934.
He is survived by his father, C. W. Altig, of Imperial, Nebr., and one brother, Charles W. Altig, with a tank battalion in service overseas; one sister, Mrs. Thelma May Maynard, of Bend, Ore., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted by a Chaplain of the Army Air Corps.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
from last weeks issue of The Spading (Nebr.) Enterprise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMRY CHAPLAIN TELLS OF DEATH OF GERALD ALTI, AIR FORCE RADIOMAN
Headquarters 380th Bombardment Group (H) AAF
Office of the Chaplain
A.P.O. 3210
5 July 1945
Mr. Chris W. Altig
Imperial, Nebraska
Dear Mr. Altig:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write regarding the death of your son, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, who was killed in action 18 June 1945. I realize the greatness of your loss, and I sincerely wish there was some way to alleviate the anguish which you are suffering.
Our aircraft were leaving for a mission against Balikpapan, Borneo, at about five o'clock in the morning, when the plane in which your son was radio man was seen to be airborne, then settle and crash, exploding on impact. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The following day, funeral services with full military honors were conducted for your son. I conducted these services, and a large part of the 380th Bomb Group was present.
Gerald was buried in U.S.A.F. Cemetery No. 1, San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. The cemetery is on a hill overlooking the town of San Jose. I am enclosing a picture taken the day of the funeral.
It will be of comfort to you to know that the officers and men of this group held Gerald in the highest esteem, and all appreciate the great work he did while with us.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, nor can we understand the ways of our eternal God, but may we always turn to Him for peace and comfort during our hours of trial and bereavement.
All men must die, but not all men can die for something. Gerald Altig died for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this."
Sympathetically,
B.C. TRENT, Chaplain
(Capt.) U.S.A.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
~
Entered the service from Nebraska.
Gerald Howard Altig (19, 16 July 1922, Spalding Greeley County, Nebraska), a resident of Primrose, Boone County, Nebraska, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. N-59, Order No. 10.735) on 30 June 1942 in Albion, Boone County, Nebraska. He was employed by Elwin R. Shaver. Gerald listed his father, Chris Altig, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6 ft. in height, 160 lbs., with a light brown complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Gerald Howard Altig enlisted in the U.S. Army (S/N 37266507) in October 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. At the time he entered the Army, he was employed at Primrose, Nebraska. His training took him to Port Arthur, Texas where he was stationed for almost two years. He also spent some time at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
July 1943 - Corporal Altig, Texas.
February 1944 - Sgt. Gerald Altig, South Dakota
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia in December 1944. T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
He was first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war his remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands - Block 2, Row 7, Grave 891 (D-D No. 3006). The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin (father, Mr. Chris W. Altig), Technical Sergeant Gerald Howard Altig was buried in his final resting place in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) – Plot N, Row 15, Grave 151.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sgt. Gerald Altig, Son of C.W. Altig of Imperial, Killed in Action June 18
It was with the deepest regret that the people of this community learned early this week of the death of T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, son of C. W. Altig of this city.
Mr. Altig received a telegram Monday from the War Department stating that his son, who was a radio operator on a B-24 bomber, had been killed in action June 18. T/Sgt. Altid was with a part of the U.S. Army Air Forces which is based on Mindoro Island, in the Philippines. Gerald Altig was nearly 23 years of age, and had been in the service about three years... Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 05 July 1945, page 1.
Gerald Howard Altig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cheston W. Altig, was born July 16, 1922, at Spalding, Nebr., and departed form this life June 18, 1945, at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and two days.
Gerald received his education in Spalding....Spalding was the former home of the Altig family and Gerald's birthplace...
He was preceded in death by his mother, who passed away in September 1922, and brothers, Bernard C., Louis C., and Russell L., Bernard having passed away in 1919, Louis in 1921, and Russell in 1934.
He is survived by his father, C. W. Altig, of Imperial, Nebr., and one brother, Charles W. Altig, with a tank battalion in service overseas; one sister, Mrs. Thelma May Maynard, of Bend, Ore., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted by a Chaplain of the Army Air Corps.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
from last weeks issue of The Spading (Nebr.) Enterprise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMRY CHAPLAIN TELLS OF DEATH OF GERALD ALTI, AIR FORCE RADIOMAN
Headquarters 380th Bombardment Group (H) AAF
Office of the Chaplain
A.P.O. 3210
5 July 1945
Mr. Chris W. Altig
Imperial, Nebraska
Dear Mr. Altig:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write regarding the death of your son, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, who was killed in action 18 June 1945. I realize the greatness of your loss, and I sincerely wish there was some way to alleviate the anguish which you are suffering.
Our aircraft were leaving for a mission against Balikpapan, Borneo, at about five o'clock in the morning, when the plane in which your son was radio man was seen to be airborne, then settle and crash, exploding on impact. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The following day, funeral services with full military honors were conducted for your son. I conducted these services, and a large part of the 380th Bomb Group was present.
Gerald was buried in U.S.A.F. Cemetery No. 1, San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. The cemetery is on a hill overlooking the town of San Jose. I am enclosing a picture taken the day of the funeral.
It will be of comfort to you to know that the officers and men of this group held Gerald in the highest esteem, and all appreciate the great work he did while with us.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, nor can we understand the ways of our eternal God, but may we always turn to Him for peace and comfort during our hours of trial and bereavement.
All men must die, but not all men can die for something. Gerald Altig died for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this."
Sympathetically,
B.C. TRENT, Chaplain
(Capt.) U.S.A.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
~
Entered the service from Nebraska.
Gerald Howard Altig enlisted in the U.S. Army (S/N 37266507) in October 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. At the time he entered the Army, he was employed at Primrose, Nebraska. His training took him to Port Arthur, Texas where he was stationed for almost two years. He also spent some time at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
July 1943 - Corporal Altig, Texas.
February 1944 - Sgt. Gerald Altig, South Dakota
He was assigned to the 531st Bomber Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces and sent to Australia in December 1944. T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator assigned to "Connaughton's Crew (95)"on 20 December 1944. They flew B-24J Liberators on bombing missions out of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and covered the whole of the Dutch East Indies. They flew their first combat mission together as a crew (DAR VII-10) on 02 February 1945, a strike against Malimpoeng Airfield, Celebes, Dutch East Indies aboard B-24J-50-CO (S/N 42-73489) "HOT ROCKS". It was the 60th mission for the plane.
In February 1945, the 531st Bomber Squadron moved to Murtha Field (APO 321), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Province, in the Philippines. Murtha Field was about 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay, on the west bank of Tabangan River. From there, Connaughton's Crew participated in strikes on Legaspi Port, Luzon; Okayama Airdrome, Formosa, Jitsuget Sutan Power Plant, Formosa, and Shinchiku Airdrome, Formosa "hammering Japanese ships, troops, and installations all over that area".
On June 18, 1945, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig was the radio operator aboard B-24J Liberator J-135-CO, (S/N 42-110115), with nose art, "Drunkard's Dream". At 0506 hours the plane took off from Murtha Field on a mission (No. 169-E2) to hit the Balikpapan fortifications on Borneo, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It "was seen to be airborne, then settled and crashed, exploding on impact about one-half mile from the northern end of the strip. The entire crew of eleven men were killed instantly." It was the aircraft's 74th mission in the Pacific Theatre.
Connaughton's Crew (95):
2nd Lt. Joseph B. Connaughton, Jr. – Aircraft Commander
2nd Lt. Jay W. Swan – Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Edward I. Plotkin – Navigator
2nd Lt. Henry L. Ostapowski – Bombardier
T/Sgt Smith M. Abbott – Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. George P. Adams – Martin Upper Gunner
S/Sgt. Lonnie L. Albert – Armorer Gunner
S/Sgt. Henry F. Bain, Jr. – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph C. Barb – Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry D. Rollings – Photographer
He was first buried in USAF Cemetery #1, in San Jose, Mindoro, P. I. After the war his remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands - Block 2, Row 7, Grave 891 (D-D No. 3006). The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin (father, Mr. Chris W. Altig), Technical Sergeant Gerald Howard Altig was buried in his final resting place in the 7701 Ft. McKinley Cemetery (now known as the Manila American Cemetery) – Plot N, Row 15, Grave 151.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sgt. Gerald Altig, Son of C.W. Altig of Imperial, Killed in Action June 18
It was with the deepest regret that the people of this community learned early this week of the death of T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, son of C. W. Altig of this city.
Mr. Altig received a telegram Monday from the War Department stating that his son, who was a radio operator on a B-24 bomber, had been killed in action June 18. T/Sgt. Altid was with a part of the U.S. Army Air Forces which is based on Mindoro Island, in the Philippines. Gerald Altig was nearly 23 years of age, and had been in the service about three years... Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 05 July 1945, page 1.
Gerald Howard Altig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cheston W. Altig, was born July 16, 1922, at Spalding, Nebr., and departed form this life June 18, 1945, at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and two days.
Gerald received his education in Spalding....Spalding was the former home of the Altig family and Gerald's birthplace...
He was preceded in death by his mother, who passed away in September 1922, and brothers, Bernard C., Louis C., and Russell L., Bernard having passed away in 1919, Louis in 1921, and Russell in 1934.
He is survived by his father, C. W. Altig, of Imperial, Nebr., and one brother, Charles W. Altig, with a tank battalion in service overseas; one sister, Mrs. Thelma May Maynard, of Bend, Ore., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted by a Chaplain of the Army Air Corps.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
from last weeks issue of The Spading (Nebr.) Enterprise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMRY CHAPLAIN TELLS OF DEATH OF GERALD ALTI, AIR FORCE RADIOMAN
Headquarters 380th Bombardment Group (H) AAF
Office of the Chaplain
A.P.O. 3210
5 July 1945
Mr. Chris W. Altig
Imperial, Nebraska
Dear Mr. Altig:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write regarding the death of your son, T/Sgt. Gerald H. Altig, who was killed in action 18 June 1945. I realize the greatness of your loss, and I sincerely wish there was some way to alleviate the anguish which you are suffering.
Our aircraft were leaving for a mission against Balikpapan, Borneo, at about five o'clock in the morning, when the plane in which your son was radio man was seen to be airborne, then settle and crash, exploding on impact. The cause of the crash is unknown.
The following day, funeral services with full military honors were conducted for your son. I conducted these services, and a large part of the 380th Bomb Group was present.
Gerald was buried in U.S.A.F. Cemetery No. 1, San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. The cemetery is on a hill overlooking the town of San Jose. I am enclosing a picture taken the day of the funeral.
It will be of comfort to you to know that the officers and men of this group held Gerald in the highest esteem, and all appreciate the great work he did while with us.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, nor can we understand the ways of our eternal God, but may we always turn to Him for peace and comfort during our hours of trial and bereavement.
All men must die, but not all men can die for something. Gerald Altig died for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this."
Sympathetically,
B.C. TRENT, Chaplain
(Capt.) U.S.A.
Source: Imperial Republican (Imperial, Nebraska), Thursday, 02 August 1945, page 5.
~
Entered the service from Nebraska.
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