Goodrick, Gene Robert

Individual Personnel Data
Name Goodrick, Gene Robert   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-760823   ‡
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #140 dated 17 July 1944, effective 17 July 1944.
  • Transferred to the 70th Replacement Depot, AAF Station Chorley, per 547th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 4 February 1945, effective 29 January 1945.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 29 January 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsAwarded the Silver Star for 'gallantry in action' during a mission over Germany on 30 November 1944.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
SILVER STAR. GENE R. GOODRICK, O-760823, First Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action while piloting a B-17 bomber on a penetration mission over Germany, 30 November 1944. Unable to observe the target on the initial run due to dense contrails left by preceding formations, Lieutenant Goodrick ordered the bombs held. Just after turning to make the second bomb run, an almost direct burst of flak exploded the oxygen tank under the flight deck and started a fierce fire. In the resultant confusion, the navigator, bombardier, co-pilot, and engineer bailed out, but Lieutenant Goodrick remained cool, his only concern at the moment being to hold his position and perform his duty. Immediately after releasing the bombs, he left the formation, rejoining his unit later after the fire had been extinguished. Arriving at the base after dark with the hydraulic and electrical systems destroyed, Lieutenant Goodrick exhibited a high degree of skill by safely landing the crippled bomber unassisted. His courage, skill and tenacity of purpose are worthy of the highest praise. Entered Military service from Missouri.

Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 11 November 1921
  • Promoted to 1Lt on 4 September 1944, per squadron history (microfilm A0641-00242).
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty to Furzedown House, AAF Station 563 (a Flak House) on 16 October 1944 to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #204 dated 15 October 1944.
  • Awarded Silver Star medal for his handling of events during 30 November 1944 mission to attack targets in Zeitz, Germany, aboard aircraft 42-38800, 'BUSY BUZZARD'. For his description of this mission, click on the 'Related Story' link - and for his navigator's story, read the 'Navigator' chapter of 'B-17 Fortress At War' by Roger Freeman.
  • Ordered on appproximately two days Temorary Duty to London on 22 December 1944, purpose Public Relations Office (PRO) Radio Activities per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #252 dated 21 December 1944.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 11111⇓ (30.544 MB)
Mission To Zeitz⇓ (0.049 MB)
Gene Goodrick Describes His Silver Star Mission⇓ (6.544 MB)
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelGoodrick Signing⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Goodrick, Gene RobertPilotCT
2nd Lt. Harter, David Smuck⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Weiss, Warren Henry⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Spears, Simms Memory⇗BombardierCT
S/SGT. Adams, Harold Peter⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Clarke, Willis John⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Pierce, Lee Francis⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Clairday, Willard Lee⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Stephens, Frank (NMI)⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Seibel, Joseph Austin⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 35 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
166⇗ 28 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
167⇗ 29 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
168⇗ 31 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Hot Camera Ship.
Sortie Report⇗
169⇗ 1 August 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Chartres, France 		Pilot 42‑97948⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
170⇗ 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
I Group.
Sortie Report⇗
175⇗ 8 August 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Bretteville-sur-Laize, France 		Pilot 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
176⇗ 9 August 1944 Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Erding, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section deputy, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
177⇗ 11 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements
Type: Military
Location: Brest, France 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
178⇗ 12 August 1944 Target: "Landing Ground"
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: La Perthe, France 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
183⇗ 24 August 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 43‑37843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
185⇗ 26 August 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
187⇗ 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑37788⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
188⇗ 5 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
189⇗ 8 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
190⇗ 9 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
192⇗ 11 September 1944 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf & Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 43‑37990⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
41A Group. Turned back due to #1 engine supercharger failure.
Sortie Report⇗
193⇗ 12 September 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Brüx, Czechoslovakia 		Pilot 44‑6105⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
198⇗ 25 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
199⇗ 26 September 1944 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Osnabrück, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6135⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
201⇗ 28 September 1944 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Magdeburg, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6135⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
202⇗ 30 September 1944 Target: Handorf Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Münster, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38542⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
204⇗ 3 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38262⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
207⇗ 7 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6105⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
208⇗ 9 October 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6149⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
209⇗ 11 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
First Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
215⇗ 25 October 1944 Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38757⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
216⇗ 30 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97960⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
217⇗ 1 November 1944 Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
218⇗ 2 November 1944 Target: Ruhr-Chemie A.G. Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Sterkrade (Holten), Germany 		Pilot 42‑102501⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 43‑38542. Low Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
225⇗ 11 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
226⇗ 16 November 1944 Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions
Type: Military
Location: Eschweiler, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron, 41st Bomb Wing D group. Landed away at Stratford, due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
230⇗ 26 November 1944 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: Altenbeken, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
232⇗ 29 November 1944 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Misburg, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
233⇗ 30 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Zeitz, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
First Lt. Gene Goodrick awarded Silver Star, Owens p. 200; MACR 11111 covers crewmembers that departed aircraft.
Sortie Report⇗
235⇗ 4 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Soest, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
236⇗ 6 December 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗

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