Aber, Earle Joseph, Jr., Lt Col

He was killed when his aircraft was mistaken for an enemy aircraft and shot down by British gunners. He and his co-pilot, 2nd Lt Maurice Harper, were able to maintain flight to allow the rest of the crew to bail out but they then crashed into the River Stour. In 1945, only his arm was found and buried in England. In 1997, the wrecked aircraft was found by divers and remains of both Aber and Harper were identified in 2000. Aber's separately identifiable remains are buried in Cambridge and their commingled remains are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
 
 
 

Earle Joseph Aber Jr. (O-437946 / 16009557) was born on June 20, 1919 in Racine, Wisconsin. His father was Earle Joseph Aber Senior (b. 1886 d. 1985), who worked as a pattern maker in his own shop. His mother was Alvina K. Aber (b. 1891 d. 1975), who was a homemaker. Alvina’s parents were born in Bohemia, now known as the Czech Republic. Earle’s siblings were Georgia H. (b. 1910 d. unknown), Margery Vinie (b. 1914 d. 2001), Jean (b. 1916 d. 1993), and Earle’s twin brother Ernie, who died at one year old (b. 1919 d. 1920). The family lived at 1616 Flett Ave. Racine, Wisconsin through the 1920s and 1930s.

Earle attended Washington Park High School in his hometown of Racine. He played violin in the orchestra and was co-president of the Park Snappers, the school’s photography club. He graduated from high school in 1937.

Aber’s draft card from October 16, 1940 indicates that he was 5’11” with blonde hair and brown eyes. Other physical characteristics are listed as “scar on chin”. His address at the time was Carly Hall West on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Earle attended Purdue University, where he participated in a variety of extracurricular activities which included the Flying Club, intramural sports, the University Orchestra, and WBAA: Indiana’s oldest radio station. His name was listed in the April 19, 1941 edition of The Purdue Exponent, the school newspaper. The headline read, “Flying Cadet Board Issues List Of Men Who Qualify By Test. Applicants Must Pass Physical, Mental Exam The following lists 6f applicants and their qualifications for appointment as flying cadets has just been released by the examining board. University students physically and mentally qualified for appointment as flying cadets”. Earle graduated from Purdue University in 1941 with a bachelor of science degree.

Earle would go on to attend Ft. Worth, San Angelo, and Brooks flying schools ("The History of Aviation Cadet Class 42~B" Yearbook). On April 10, 1943, Earle was a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Corps. During his military career, he commanded the 406th Bomb Squadron and earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1945, Aber flew a B-17 Flying Fortress #42-37516 nicknamed “Tondelayo”. It was painted all black for night "carpetbagger" operations with the 492nd/801st BG. The 801st Bomb Group was “established as part of the Eighth Air Force in late March 1944 to carry out 'Carpetbagger' missions. These were night missions over France and other parts of occupied Europe to support resistance forces by dropping in agents, supplies and leaflets.” On 13 August 1944, the Group was redesignated as the 492nd Bomb Group. “As with most Commanding Officers of the secret squadrons, Aber had a variable crew and flew at random times. However, the crew he had on his final and fatal mission has been well documented.” 

Earle Aber Jr. was killed when his aircraft was mistaken for an enemy aircraft and shot down by British gunners on March 4, 1945. He and his co-pilot, 2nd Lt Maurice Harper, were able to maintain flight to allow the rest of the crew to bail out but they then crashed into the River Stour. In 1945, only Aber’s arm was found, identified by a Boy Scout ring he always wore. His arm was buried in England later that year. In 1997, the wrecked aircraft was found by divers and remains of both Aber and Harper were identified in 2000. For the Aber and Harper families, the long search has been a bonding experience. "People talk about closure, but for us it has been an opening," said Earle Williams, Aber's nephew. "We've gotten to know lots of people who knew my uncle." Aber's separately identifiable remains are buried in Cambridge. The commingled remains of Aber and Harper are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Grave 7751.

Aber was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the Eighth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/ 4 OLC, Purple Heart, and French Croix de Guerre with Wings and Palm ("The History of Aviation Cadet Class 42~B" Yearbook). Aber’s name is proudly displayed on the first floor of Purdue University’s Purdue Memorial Union building. “It is dedicated as a perpetual memorial to these sons of our alma mater who, in the performance of the highest duty of citizenship and in devotion to lofty ideals, gave their lives in the service of their country.”

Sources

1920 US Federal Census

"The History of Aviation Cadet Class 42~B" Yearbook

American Air Museum in Britain

Aber Crew

Fold3 1

Fold3 2

Fold3 3

Find a Grave 1

Find a Grave 2

Purdue University

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Earle J. Aber, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 109 (1945)
Service: Army Air Forces
Division: 8th Air Force