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T/Sgt. Harold J. Gamache
723rd Squadron
Harold and Marian - Married for 65 years
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Harold J. 'Bud' Gamache was born and raised in Peru, Illinois.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942, at the age of nineteen.
After training, Harold, or 'Gam' as known by his squadron buddies, was assigned to the 15th Air Force, 450th Bomber Group, 723 squadron in November 1943.
Harold was the Flight Engineer/Mechanic in charge of keeping the plane, the 'Little Stinker,' airborne.
After the allies occupied southern Italy, they then flew most of their 36 bombing missions out of Manduria, Italy.
They were shot down on a mission to the Ploesti oil refineries on April 16, 1944. Two of their crew, Milton Feffer and Bill Rogers were killed during an attack from Messerschmitt 109s before
Harold and the rest of the crew baled out as the plane went down. For more on the missions and this final mission, read the Milton Feffer account “The Kid”, Harold's crew buddy, written by Judge Elizabeth Feffer.
After baling out, Harold was captured by Romanian locals and turned over to the Axis authorities in Romania. He spent 4½ months in a POW camp in Romania.
When the Russians began an invasion of Romania and with Romania's subsequent surrender in August 1944, Operation Gunn and Operation Reunion were put into motion:
B17's escorted by P38's and P51's flew nonstop over three days, from August 31st to September 3rd, taking 20 POW's each trip until all 1161 ex-prisoners were safely airlifted back to Italy.
Harold returned home weighing 103 pounds. He married his hometown sweetheart, Marian Damm on October 18, 1944 at St. Mel's parish in Chicago.
They were married for 65 years and were blessed with three children, Patricia, James and Kenneth.
Harold worked in the automobile business, both as a mechanic and then as a salesman/sales manager until retirement.
He and Marian attended many POW Romania conventions held annually in cities throughout the United States where he reunited with former POW's and friends.
Invoking the Irish spirit of his grandmother, Harold often used humor to deflect discussion of his time during the war.
We can't imagine what the crew of the 'Little Stinker,' and all the other crews of the 450th Bomb Group went through to protect the freedom we continue to enjoy today.
To the 'Little Stinker,' and all its crew members, we salute you!
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Link To Crew Information
Information courtesy of Ken Gamache, son of T/Sgt. Gamache.
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