Technical Sergeant, 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group based at Mendlesham, England.

Radio Operator-Gunner aboard B-17G Flying Fortress #44-8263. While on a mission to strike oil depots in Germany, his aircraft was struck in the right wing by anti-aircraft artillery shells and went down at Innien, Germany (known as the municipality of Aukrug), about 22 miles south-southwest of Kiel.

Eight crewmembers were Killed In Action and one survived and was taken prisoner. Missing Air Crew Report № 11565.

The crewmembers KIA were:

1LT Leslie C Carter, O-761235, CA, Pilot

2LT Robert A Koch, O-822470, IL, Co-Pilot

1LT John J Russell, O-723694, NY, Navigator

1LT Joseph E Rozell, O-772079, NY, Bombardier

TSGT Leonard W Guse, 37344523, CO, Radio Operator

TSGT Moe Hut, 12145645, NY, Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

SSGT Fernando A Barreda, 38213215, TX, Ball Turret Gunner

SSGT Robert C Belh, 42080925, NJ, Flexible Gunner

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Sgt. Leonard Guse Killed In Action

Word was received hero on July 30 by Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Guse that Technical Sergeant Leonard Guse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernrad Guse, of Longmont, Colo., was reported killed in action over Germany. The lad's parents had received a report February 4 from the War Deparment that Leonard was missing in action over Germany since January 14 and the message of his death came to them recently.

In this message it was stated that he was buried in Denmark. T.Sgt. Guse was a radio operator on a bomber and was believed to have nearly completed his 30 missions. Ho had received an air medal and oak leaf cluster which he sent to his wife at Longmont, Colo.

Leonard William Guse, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard' Guse, was born July 3, 1923 at Sanborn, Iowa. His father was an employee of the Milwaukee Road and they later moved to Mason City and now reside at Long­mont, Colo. While here they lived in the house which is now the home of Ralph Boer.

Leonard joined the U. S. Army Air Force and was stationed at the Sioux City Air Base for the completion of his training.

He was married on June 12, 1944 to Miss Vivian Madonna Oard, daugh­ter of Mr. and Mrs. James Oard, of Longmont, Colo., the wedding taking place at Sioux City, Iowa.

Late in July he was sent overseas for active duty. He is survived by his, wife, his parents and a sister, Harriett, all of Longmont, Colo.

Sanborn Pioneer, Sanborn, Ia., August 9, 1945, p1

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Military Rites Held For Former Sanborn Man

Military funeral services will be held in Sanborn Thursday afternoon, April 13, in the Legion Hall for Leonard Guse, whose body is being returned from overseas and arriving in Sanborn Thursday morning. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Guse of Longmount, Colo., and formerly of Sanborn. He was a pilot in the United States Air Force and was killed in action in Germany, being reported missing in December 1944 and officially reported dead February 1945. Mr. and Mrs. Guse arrived in Sanborn Tuesday morning and are at the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Guse, awaiting the arrival of the body. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Dale Becker of Denver, Colo.

O'Brien County Bell, 12 Apr, 1950, p. 1