Cecil M. Trostle.
328th Squadron · Of Oak Park, IL.
The man.
From the 2nd Air Division Association Yearbook
Assigned to maintenance crew of the Ball of Fire at Hardwick. In 1944 became crew chief on B-24-11 (later named Top Hat); crewed this aircraft for 88 missions without an abort. After four additional missions, the aircraft was transferred to 329th Sqdn., and his crew was assigned a lead aircraft which flew 26 missions. The original aircraft was eventually returned to the 328th Sqdn. and continued to 123 total missions. Vivid D-Day memory: all available aircraft lined up on approaches to the main runway near midnight, with running lights on and engines running.
Service record.
Before and after.
Born Feb. 10, 1919 near Jewett, IL; moved near Brocton, IL, then to Oak Park, IL. Joined USAAC Dec. 4, 1941. Training at Fort Sheridan, Jefferson Barracks, Chanute Field; Specialist School at General Electric Plant in Lynn, MA. Reported to 328th Bomb Sqdn., 93rd Bomb Group at Fort Myers, FL in May 1942. Ground echelon transferred to Fort Dix, NJ, then sailed on Queen Elizabeth to Prestwick, Scotland; by train to Alconbury, England. Group moved to Hardwick.
Discharged Nov. 11, 1945 as tech sergeant. Received the Bronze Star. Retired from Northern Illinois Gas Company. Last of 12 children.