EARL OAKLEY PETERSEN (Daughter; Angela Dose, PLEASE contact PRINCESSBARBIB25@msn.com )_

Lt. Earl O Peterson, Pilot of the 319th Bomb Group, 439th Bomb Squad Shot-Down and Lt Peterson was KIA.

B-26 Marauder #42-107555 of the 319th Bomb Group, 439th Bomb Squadron which was shot-down over the target on 23 Sept. 1944. Bombing Mission to Vigevano, Rail Road Bridge, Italy. All on board were KIA.

MIA/KIA was sent to his wife; Mrs. Hanna J Peterson, 703 14th Street, Boone, Iowa.

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 319th abd 321st BG Historian in the 57th Bomb Wing, PRINCESSBARBIB25@msn.com_

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2008~~~~~

_Date:10/24/08Time:3:09 PMMarauderman's Name: 2 Lt. Earl Oakley Petersen
Bomb Group: 319th
Bomb Squadron: 439th
Years in service: ?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: Hello, I am looking for any information on my grandfather 2 LT Earl Oakley Petersen. ID # X-XXX410 who was a B-26 pilot and was killed in action on approx. Sept 23, 1944. He is buried in the Florence American Cemetery . My father is his only child and never knew his father as he was killed when my dad was just months old. My grandfather’s family never spoke of his military demise, and my grandmother wouldn’t either. I know he was trained in both California and Texas. We have been in the dark and searching for information. If you have any information I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much. I have one image that I will add which is the only image I have of my grandfather ~ he is the man on the front of the motorbike and the back of the picture says “ Rome ~ Aug 1944”.
Thanks so much for taking your time to read this!
Sincerely, Angela Dose
_Dear Angela, On 23rd September 1944 B-26 42-107555 received several flak hits in the bomb run, both engines began smoking and the plane went into a slow downward glide. Two parachutes were seen to leave the ship prior to the right engine bursting into flames. It then went into a slow spin during which two more parachutes were seen to leave the aircraft prior to it crashing a half mile west of Binasco, Italy. The crew were: 2nd.Lt's Earl O Peterson; Harold F Sitterle; Howard F Braden; Sgt Lawrence F Burt; S/Sgt George A Creeth, Jr.

Regards, Trevor Allen historian b26.com http://b26.com/guestbook/2008.htm**

Earl O Petersen