Edward Trammell Wilson was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Noah Trammell Wilson and Nellie Shugart.
Aircraft B-26B41 MA with serial number 42-43300 departed from Decive Airdrome in Sardinia on a bombardment mission to Fendi, Italy. The aircraft crashed at Itri.
Statement from 1st Lt George E. Marple, Air Corps:
I hereby state that on the 12th of May 1944, I was on a bombing mission to the area around the town of Fondi, Italy, when the B-26 (42-43300) piloted by 1st Lt Dowaine C. Daniels, was hit by flak on the bomb run at about 1609 hours. We were headed in a NE direction and had just crossed the coast of Italy.
When the B-26 was hit, flames broke out in the right engine. The A/C was held level for a while and one or two parachutes opened out of the tail. Then there was an explosion in the right wing and fire could be seen coming from the Bombay. The B-26 peeled off and headed down still on fire.
In the break it could be seen burning on the ground about 3 miles SE of Fondi and five parachutes could be seen drifting in a NE direction.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Dowaine C. Daniels
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Edward T. Wilson
Bombardier, Cpl Grover W. Hill
Engineer/Gunner, S/Sgt Herbert A. Grant
Radio Operator/Gunner, SSgt Frederick N. Coulson Jr.
Aerial Gunner, S/Sgt William C. Nenish
He is memorialized at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 9 November 1943
Edward T. Wilson of 1904 Bennett Avenue is the son of N.T. Wilson and was a sheet metalist before entering training. He received his wings at Stuttgart Army Air Field and received further training at a transition flying school.
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 31 May 1944
Second Lt. Edward T. Wilson, son of Mrs. Nell S. Deiser, 1904 Bennett Avenue, and N.T. Wilson, Talley Road, pilot of a B-26 Marauder bomber in the Mediterranean theater of war, has been reported missing in action over Italy since May 12, his mother was notified yesterday by the War Department. Lt. Wilson has been stationed overseas since April, 1944. He enlisted in the army as a private in April, 1942 and entered the air forces in March, 1943, winning his pilot’s wings in November, 1943, at Stuttgart, Ark. A graduate of Central High School, he was employed at Combustion Engineering Company here before entering the army.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 11 March 1919
- Date of death: 12 May 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 438th Bomber Squadron, 319th Bomber Group, Medium
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Edward T. Wilson
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