Gilcrest, John B-17 Pilot

B-17 airman stationed in England during WWII with the 390th Bomb Group describing his training and missions. Gilcrest enlisted into the Army Air Corps after graduating high school in 1943. Before beginning the depth of his training, Gilcrest went to the University of Minnesota as part of a college training detachment. His training after included pre-flight training in Santa Ana, flight school in Arizona, advanced twin engines training in Texas, and training with the B-17 in New Mexico. Gilcrest came together with his crew in Iowa, being assigned to be the pilot for crew #21, 568th squadron. Gilcrest and his crew deployed to Europe via a ship in 1944. By the end of his tour, Gilcrest had completed 28 missions.