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 t