Ending seven years of decorated military service with an ambitious round-the-world aviation flight, Master Sgt. Sigyr R. Gustafson of Norwood is resting today at a Royal Air Force hospital in Southern Arabia, miraculously surviving as the lone known survivor of a massive B-29 bomber that crashed into the sea Tuesday night.
The Norwood soldier was a crew member on one of three heavy bombers that left Tucson, Arizona, a week ago to encircle the globe in a historic mission designed to train personnel in foreign regional conditions and long-water flights. After departing Tucson, the aircraft stopped at MacDill Field in Florida, the Lagens Air Base in the Azores Islands, and Wheelus Field in Tripoli, Libya, before arriving at Aden, South Arabia. Shortly after leaving port on the next leg of their journey to Ceylon, the bomber crashed just a mile offshore.
While Arabian fishermen heroically rescued Sigyr R. Gustafson and brought him to the English hospital, tragedy struck the rest of the crew. Authorities in Washington and Aden reported that 19 officers and men aboard were missing, with search patrols immediately launched by the RAF and Navy to recover the wreckage visible from land. Capt. Percy H. Kramer, public information officer at Davis-Monthan Field in Tucson, released the roster of crewmen as families anxiously awaited updates.
Back in Norwood, news of his miraculous escape brought immense relief mingled with deep sorrow for his lost crewmates. Sigyr R. Gustafson was brought up by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Arvid Hermanson of Folan Avenue, following the death of his parents when he was six years old. Another aunt, Mrs. Dorothy Legaski, also of Folan Avenue, operates the neighborhood grocery store at the corner of Folan Avenue and Washington Street. Additional family members include his sister, Mrs. Esther Sheehan of 620-A Neponset Street in Canton; a brother, Rungar Gustafson of Milford; and a brother, Ronnie Gustafson, currently serving in the Army. Sigyr R. Gustafson was married this past April to Helen Gilson of Milwaukee, who resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was stationed prior to the flight.
A veteran of the Eighth Air Force, Sigyr R. Gustafson first entered the service in June 1941 after formerly working as a shipping clerk with Bird and Son. Stationed in England during World War II, he served as a crew chief with the 306th Bomb Group (part of the First Bombardment Division), earning the prestigious Bronze Star Medal for outstanding service to his plane, which flew eighty-two missions against the Nazis. His unit also received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during daylight operations against aircraft plants in Oschersleben, Germany. Having re-enlisted in 1945 following his wartime discharge, he attained the rank of master sergeant in December 1944, bringing a distinguished military career to a dramatic and harrowing chapter off the Arabian coast.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Norwood Messenger
More…
-
The United Church Honors Veterans of World War II-This Day in Norwood History-November 12, 1946
Before a large congregation at the regular service of Divine Worship on Sunday morning, the United Church paid tribute to both the living and the dead of World War II ) Speaking on behalf of the Church, the Rev. Edmund A. Miller officially welcomed the returned men and women of the armed forces. “We were…
-
110 War Veterans Honored At St. Peter’s Celebration-This Day in Norwood History-October 8, 1946
110 War Veterans Honored At St. Peter’s Celebration-This Day in Norwood History-October 8, 1946
-
Two Norwood GI Buddies Are Discharged-This Day In Norwood History-February 22, 1946
Two South Norwood boys who have been all through the war together have both recently received their honorable discharges from the Army. Sgt. Albert Mike, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mike, 26 St. George Avenue, and Sgt. Shafie Boulis, son of Mrs. Kerrimie Boulis, Concord Avenue, have been in the service for three years…
-
Brothers Pfc. Kenneth & Ralph Cashen Both Purple Heart Veterans, Discharged-This Day in Norwood History-January 4, 1946
Two Norwood brothers, Pfc. Kenneth J. Cashen of the Marines, and Ralph D. Cashen of the Army, both of whom have been presented the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, recently were discharged from the service. Pfc, Kenneth Cashen entered the Marine Corps in September, 1943 and received his boot training at Parris Island,…
-
Veteran of Three Services, Andrew J. Hewitt, Managing Guild Theatre-This Day In Norwood History-August 3, 1945
This Day In Norwood History-August 3, 1945-Veteran of Three Services, Andrew J. Hewitt, Managing Guild Theatre
-
Technical Sgt Arthur C Webber Promoted to Master Sergeant-This Day in Norwood History-January 19, 1945
HEADQUARTERS. 13th AAF, Southwest Pacific—Arthur C Webber of Norwood, recently was promoted from technical to the highest enlisted rank of Master Sergeant at an advanced base of the “Fightin’ 13th AAF” in the Southwest Pacific. Son of Roy C. and Mrs. Inez B Webber of 39 Phillips avenue. Norwood. Sergeant Webber recently completed 18 months…
-
Local Marine Raymond B Rafuse Promoted To Sergeant-This Day in Norwood History-January 19, 1945
Sgt. Rafuse landed with assault troops on “D” day at Guam, but was wounded on the beach. He was evacuated to a Naval Hospital. Recently he returned to join his outfit. SOMEWHERE lN THE PACIFIC (Delayed) — Marine Sgt. Raymond B Rafuse, Jr., o£ 345 Winter street, Norwood, has been promoted to his present rank…
-
John Mulvehill Promoted To Rank Of Major-Norwood WWII Veteran-January 12, 1945
Captain John J. Mulvehill, 15th A.A.F., of 23 Cottage Street, Norwood was promoted on Christmas Day to the rank of Major, it was learned here today. Major Mulvehill has been overseas for two and one-half years with the Flying Fortress unit. This unit participated in the African invasion and later at an Italian base took…
-
First Sgt. Leonard J Masino Enjoys First Holidays Home In Four Years-This Day in Norwood History-December 29, 1944
After four years of overseas service, First Sgt. Leonard J Masino was able this year to spend the first Christmas during that tune with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Masino of 10 Park street. The long-awaited family reunion was not complete, however, because Leonard’s sister, Miss Arlene Masino, art supervisor of the East Hampton…
-
Lt. Col. George T. Lee Has Flown Over 200 Missions-This Day in Norwood History-December 29, 1944
LT. COL. GEORGE T. LEE, of Norwood, recently promoted from Major in the Army Air Forces, is Deputy Group Commander of a veteran P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Group supporting Allied Ground Forces in northern Italy and has flown ever 200 combat missions. (12th Air Force Photo) Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.