Flight Officer Clinton L. Gerould was the co-pilot of a B-24H based at Castellucio, Italy. On February 7, 1945, on a bombing mission over Vienna, Austria, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into another aircraft nearby and after the two aircraft pulled apart, the aircraft disintegrated and crashed. The following eye witness describes the incident in more detail:

"I, Albert D. Sherman Jr., (service no. deleted for the purposes of this profile), was the Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Aircraft which flew in the fourth position of the formation on 7 February 1945 with B-24 Liberator Aircraft number 42-52036 piloted by 2nd Lt Darrell M. Burk (service no. deleted for the purposes of this profile), flying number five position, and B-24 Liberator Aircraft number 42-52440, piloted by 2nd Lt. Paul D. Holst, (service no. deleted for the purposes of this profile), flying number six position.

While over the target Lt. Holst received a direct flak hit in the bomb bay of his ship, causing it to burst in flames. He rallied right and in doing so crashed into Lt. Burk's aircraft. It appeared as if Lt. Burk tried to avoid a collision, but to no avail. When the ships collided a few bombs were dropped from Lt. Burk's ship. After the collision the two ships remained together until Lt. Burk's ship barrel-rolled earthward out of my view and Lt. Holst's ship disintegrated." Source: Statement: Albert D. Sherman Jr, 2nd Lt, 725the Bomb Squadron (H), attachment to Missing Air Crew Report dated 10 Feb 1945, http://www.footnote.com

Gerould, Clinton LaRue, FltOff