Briefing Document: Henry Troy Gillespie

Subject: Biographical Information and Military Service of Henry Troy Gillespie

Date: October 26, 2023

Source: "Pasted Text" excerpt

Overview: This document outlines the life and military service of Henry Troy Gillespie, who served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II and died in action. The information is drawn from a biographical summary.

Key Themes & Facts:

Early Life and Family:Born November 29, 1916, in Coleman, Texas to Hazel Leta Keesee and Francis Henry Gillespie. His parents were relatively young at the time of his birth, his mother 21 and his father 23.

His mother, Hazel, was born in Missouri in 1894 and died in Texas in 1951. His father, Francis, was born and died in Coleman, Texas.

The 1920 census shows Henry living with his parents and a brother in Coleman, Texas, when he was 3.

The 1930 census shows him living with his parents, three siblings and his grandmother in Coleman, Texas, at age 13.

Education and Civilian Life:Graduated from Coleman High School.

Attended Texas A&M College.

Registered for the draft in Pecos, Texas, in 1940, while working and residing there.

His father, of Coleman, Texas, was listed as his next of kin contact.

Married May Haren in El Paso, Texas on August 23, 1941.

Prior to enlisting, he was a farm manager in Greeley County, Kansas, with two years of college education.

Military Service:Enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a private at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, on June 26, 1942. His service number was asn-18089711.

The excerpt specifically mentions that he enlisted from civilian life and that he was a "married white male born Texas in 1916."

He became a First Lieutenant (O-756538) in the US Army Air Forces.

He was part of the 392nd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force.

Piloted a Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning with tail number s/n 42-104180, named "Royal Flush II."

He was stationed out of Stoney Cross Airfield, Hampshire, England.

Circumstances of Death:On June 17, 1944, he was providing top cover on a skip-bombing mission near Evreux, France.

He engaged several Me-109s (German Messerschmitt fighter planes) and was shot down.

Initially listed as missing in action.

He was officially declared dead by the War Department on June 18, 1945, with a Finding of Death (FOD).

His remains were eventually found in France.

Reinterred in the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Key Quotes:

"Henry T. Gillespie asn-18089711 a married white male born Texas in 1916 residing in Greeley County, Kansas working as a farm manager with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as a private at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 26 June 1942."

"First Lieutenant Henry T. Gillespie O-756538 US Army Air Forces...was piloting the Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning s/n 42-104180 'Royal Flush II' out of Stoney Cross Airfield, Hampshire, England on 17 June 1944 to provide top cover on skip-bombing mission to targets in France."

"He was near Evreux, France when he engaged several Me-109s and was shot down. He was statused as missing for some time until the War Dept declared him dead with a FOD, finding of death, date of 18 June 1945."

Summary:

Henry Troy Gillespie's life was marked by a transition from rural Texas, through some education and working life in the civilian sector, to military service in World War II. His story tragically culminates in his death in combat in France, though his remains were eventually recovered and interred at the Normandy American Cemetery. The text provides a concise but poignant picture of a young American's life and sacrifice during the war.