SSgt. Lambert Geerlings enlisted in the AAF from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 28 May 1942.

He served as a Ball Turret Gunner in the 570th Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force based out of RAF Framlingham/Parham, AAF Field #153, near the village of Framlingham, England.

On this his last mission, his crew was piloted by Charles P. Swafford aboard a B-17G (# 42-3312) the "Sequatchiee" .

During the mission to Duren, Germany (while over Tilburg, Netherlands), Flak hit the # 1 engine, causing it to fail, and there was damage to the left wing and the fuel tanks. For some reason, unknown, 4 members of the crew parachuted over the Channel 10 miles from Rotterdam. All were listed and remain MIA. The aircraft did return to the airbase as the pilot (and 5 others) was able to regain control of the aircraft.

These men were:

1st Lt. Charles P. Swafford, pilot

2nd Lt. Austin E. Long, co-pilot

TSgt. Nels A. Johnson, radio operator

TSgt. Chester S. Crans, top turret gunner

SSgt. Robert Maryanski, tail gunner

SSgt. Frank D. Greenlaw, right waist gunner

the following men parachuted from the aircaft at 9000 feet, and were listed as MIA

2nd Lt. Eugene W. Corbin, bombardier

SSgt. Lambert J. Geerlings, ball turret gunner

2nd Lt. Clarence C. Cobb navigator

SSgt. Harry Daniels, left waist gunner

These men are all listed on the Wall of Missing at the American Cemetery at Margraten.

MACR 14417

Geerlings, Lambert J., SSgt