Edward Franklin Keesling was born in Stanford, Kentucky, the son of Charles Alexander Keesling and Sarah Malinda Miralce. He was the brother of Mildred, Nancy and Martha Keesling. He enlisted on August 13, 1942, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
366th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy
Buried at Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France
Edward Keesling was a ball turret gunner on Aircraft # 42-29553, which departed from Chelveston, England on a heavy bombing mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. It was hit by two large bursts of flak and by enemy fighters. The plane crashed near Muenchen-Gladbach, Germany. 8 Of the crewmembers were killed, 2 were taken prisoner of war.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Wright E. Gerke
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Thomas Read
Navigator, 2nd Lt Joseph S. Costa
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Jack J. Little
Top Turret Gunner, T/Sgt Harry L. Fullerton
Radio Operator, S/Sgt James L. Chalker Jr.
Right Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Herbert A. Kalwa
Left Waist Gunner, Sgt Joe W. Rowlison
Tail Gunner. S/Sgt Joseph J. Hall
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Richard F. Keesling
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, July 16, 1943
Word has been received by Mrs. C.A. Keesling of A Street, Fountain City, of the safe arrival somewhere in England of her son, Staff Sgt. Edward F. Keesling. Sgt. Keesling is a gunner in the Army Air Forces. He has been in service since last August. A graduate of Central High School, Sgt. Keesling was employed at Fulton Sylphon Co. prior to entering service.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, September 9, 1943
Staff Sgt. Edward F. Keesling, son of Mrs. C.A. Keesling of 430 Avenue A, Fountain City, is reported missing in the European area.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 30 October 1921
- Date of death: 12 August 1943
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Fountain City
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 366th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Edward F. Keesling
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