TSgt Edward Niland (1912–1984), U.S. Army Air Forces. Edward was one of the four Niland brothers from Tonawanda, New York, whom all served in World War II. Erroneously, he was believed to be MIA and thought to be dead after parachuting from his B-25 Mitchell bomber and wandering into the Burmese jungles on May 16, 1944. Consequently, he was captured by Japanese forces and was imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp until its liberation on May 4, 1945. He lived in Tonawanda, NY until his death in 1984.
Sources: www.wikipedia.org; dates of birth/death, per Social Security Death Index
The film "Saving Private Ryan" was based on the Niland brothers. Edward was thought dead but actually was a POW. The war department sought out Frederick, who they thought was the only surviving brother, and sent him home.
Brothers:
Sgt. Frederick "Fritz" Niland (1920-1983)
Lt. Preston T. Niland (1915-1944)
TSgt. Robert J. Niland (1919-1944)
Sources: www.wikipedia.org; dates of birth/death, per Social Security Death Index
The film "Saving Private Ryan" was based on the Niland brothers. Edward was thought dead but actually was a POW. The war department sought out Frederick, who they thought was the only surviving brother, and sent him home.
Brothers:
Sgt. Frederick "Fritz" Niland (1920-1983)
Lt. Preston T. Niland (1915-1944)
TSgt. Robert J. Niland (1919-1944)
TSgt Edward Niland (1912–1984), U.S. Army Air Forces. Edward was one of the four Niland brothers from Tonawanda, New York, whom all served in World War II. Erroneously, he was believed to be MIA and thought to be dead after parachuting from his B-25 Mitchell bomber and wandering into the Burmese jungles on May 16, 1944. Consequently, he was captured by Japanese forces and was imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp until its liberation on May 4, 1945. He lived in Tonawanda, NY until his death in 1984.
Sources: www.wikipedia.org; dates of birth/death, per Social Security Death Index
The film "Saving Private Ryan" was based on the Niland brothers. Edward was thought dead but actually was a POW. The war department sought out Frederick, who they thought was the only surviving brother, and sent him home.
Brothers:
Sgt. Frederick "Fritz" Niland (1920-1983)
Lt. Preston T. Niland (1915-1944)
TSgt. Robert J. Niland (1919-1944)
Sources: www.wikipedia.org; dates of birth/death, per Social Security Death Index
The film "Saving Private Ryan" was based on the Niland brothers. Edward was thought dead but actually was a POW. The war department sought out Frederick, who they thought was the only surviving brother, and sent him home.
Brothers:
Sgt. Frederick "Fritz" Niland (1920-1983)
Lt. Preston T. Niland (1915-1944)
TSgt. Robert J. Niland (1919-1944)
