Gilger, Merril, SSgt

Last Known Activity
Merril Gilger was born, according to sources, in California in 1900. His mother's name was Myrtle. Very little information has been located on his early life or enlistment in the military.

The first appearance in a military record shows him as an aerial gunner, assigned to the B-17 combat crew of Captain John B. Bruce. Gilger flew 6 missions with this crew.

On November 28, 1942, while en route to Tunisia to bomb targets in the Bizerte area, the aircraft was shot down and the entire crew killed. The aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, and no bodies were recovered.

SSgt Gilger is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing in the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia.

There is a newspaper article that states Gilger was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross, and that at age 40, he was the oldest combat member in the armed forces. No separate confirmation has been made for these claims.


www.findagrave.com
www.ancestry.com
www.abmc.gov
www.301stbg.com/missions_Macrs.cfm
US Census 1940
Neosha (MO) Daily News newspaper, November 17, 1942, page 3

Comments/Citation
SSgt Merril Gilger was the assigned tail gunner on B-17F #41-24363, named "Bad Penny," assigned to the 32nd Bomb Squadron.

Missing Air Crew Report 16197 was issued for this loss. Mission loading lists state the crew was composed of:

Cpt John B. Bruce  p
2 Lt Robert Earl  c=p
2 Lt Charles Tannehill  nav
2 Lt Charles Knop  bomb
SSgt Henry P. Hughes, Jr.  eng/tt gun
Sgt Leonard McGriff  r/o
SSgt Alpheus Backus  wg
Sgt Samuel Scott  wg
SSgt Merle Gilger  tail gun

Ranks and grades as of mission date.

Gilger's name is given here as "Merle." All other sources state "Merril."

The only photo of the crew is when King George VI met the crew in England. No individuals are identified on the crew.

The aircraft's name comes from the adage "A bad penny always comes back."