MEN IN SERVICE.
Private Loren M. Clark, 2301 S. Patterson street; Private Howard W. Aldrich, 315 21st street; Private John E. Gilligan 2708 Virginia street; Private Norman Mathers, 2321 S. St. Aubin street; Private Richard Nash, jr., 3203 Jackson street; and Private Harold Ross Grueskin, 3321 Jennings street have arrived at the 80th college training detachment at Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, for a course in army air force instruction. On completion of the course they will receive appointments as aviation cadets in the army air forces.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 2, 1943
FIVE COMMISSIONED AS BOMBARDIERS
Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, N.M.—Special:
Five Sioux City and area men, recent graduates of the army air forces bombardier school here, have been commissioned second lieutenants and awarded the silver wings of the aerial bombardier, supplementing previously won aerial gunner’s insignia.
Now ready for active duty at an undisclosed destination are Lieuts. Howard W. Aldrich, John E. Gilligan and Robert P. Hasbrook, all of Sioux City; Paul J. Ament, Marcus, and Donald H. Price, Storm Lake.
Lieut. Aldrich, 315 21st street, is the son of Mrs. M. E. Aldrich. Upon graduation from Denver (Colo.) East high school in 1940, he attended Iowa State College.
Lieut. Gilligan, 2708 Virginia street, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilligan. He is a 1941 graduate of Trinity high school and a former Trintiy college student.
Lieut. Hasbrook, 4408 Morningside avenue, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hasbrook. He is a graduate of East high school, class of 1942, where as an undergraduate he was a member of the football, basketball and track teams.
Lieut. Ament, Marcus, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Ament. He graduated from Marcus high school in 1940, and attended Iowa State College. He played high school football, basketball and baseball.
Lieut. Price, Storm Lake, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Price and husband of the former Laura Ruth von Glan of Breda. He is a former student of Storm Lake high school and Buena Vista college.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 21, 1944
JACK GILLIGAN WAR CASUALTY
Lieutenant and Bombardier Killed in Action January 1
Lt. John E. (“Jack”) Gilligan, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Gilligan, 2708 Virginia street, was killed in action January 1, in England, his parents were informed by the War Department Thursday. He was a bombardier with the Eighth air force based in England and whether he was starting or returning from a mission is not known.
This week his parents received a letter from him stating that their colonel had given a party at the base for all members of the lead bomber, of which he was bombardier. His father, a member of the 13th Engineers in the last world war, spent 23 months in France, and was familiar with much of the territory over which Lt. Gilligan’s squadron flew.
After enlisting January 31, 1943, Lt. Gilligan was first stationed at Cedar Rapids, Ia., and later Santa Ana, Cal. He received his gunnery wings at Kingman field, Ariz., and was commissioned on March 16, 1944, at Albuquerque, N. M. Following training at Boca Raton, Fla., he was sent overseas last October 1, and since then had been stationed at English bases.
Born September 21, 1923, in Sioux City, Lt. Gilligan attended Blessed Sacrament parochial school and was graduated from Trinity high school where he was active in student affairs. He was a sophomore at Trinity college before entering the service. For several years he was Journal carrier and was listed as a junior merchant.
Surviving are his parents; a brother, Robert D. (“Bob”), petty officer third class, a radar man now based in England; and a sister, Joanne, at home.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 19, 1945 (photo included)
Memorial Mass Held for Lieutenant “Jack” Gilligan
A memorial requiem mass for Lt. John E. (“Jack”) Gilligan, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Gilligan, 2708 Virginia street, was held Monday morning in Blessed Sacrament Catholic church.
The young officer was killed in action January 1, in England. He was a bombardier with the Eighth air force based in England.
He had served as an altar boy in Blessed Sacrament church. Rev. Newman Flanagan officiated and a school choir sang.
In attendance were relatives from out of town, members of the parish and parochial school pupils. Lt. Gilligan attended Blessed Sacrament school and later attended Trinity high school and college.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 5, 1945
2nd Lt. John Edward Gilligan is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
