๐บ๐ฒWWII uncovered: Memorial Day 2023: Gertrude Tompkins Lost But Not Forgotten
๐บ๐ฒWWII uncovered: Memorial Day 2023: Gertrude Tompkins Lost But Not Forgotten
Gertrude Tompkins, of Jersey City New Jersey, of the Women Airforce Service Pilots went missing on October 26, 1944 while delivering a P-51D Mustang fighter from Los Angeles to Newark New Jersey.
"Gertrude departed from Mines Field, known today as the Los Angeles International Airport, for Palm Springs, on October 26, 1944. She never arrived at Palm Springs and due to reporting errors a search was not started until three days later. Despite an extensive ground and water search no trace of Tompkins or the aircraft were found."
According to the Army Times website, Gertrude and 37 other women lost their lives in service to their country, but Tompkins is the only one who remains missing.
"Gertrude married Army Technical Sergeant Henry Mann Silver in September 1944. Henry's sister died after giving birth and the couple was preparing to adopt her child in 1944. Gertrude returned to WASP duty two days after the wedding; she and Henry never saw each other again. She was not wearing her engagement or wedding rings when she departed for Texas, nor did she use her married name. Marriage by WASPs was frowned upon and she may have been afraid she would lose her job."
"The military initiated an extensive search for Gertrude and her plane, but no evidence of a suspected crash was ever discovered. She was classified as "missing and presumed dead" in November 1944. Henry mourned his wife's assumed death until his own passing in 1965. There has never been any evidence uncovered to suggest that Gertrude survived after 1944." - The Charley Project and Army Times Website
Gertrude Tompkins Silver was just 32 years old at the time she went missing. Lest We Forget.
WWII uncovered©️ original description and photo sourced by Army Times Website and The Charley Project
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