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Page History: Dana, Edward G. - T/Sgt

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Service during the War ¶

Edward G Dana joined the USAAF in 1944. As with many, he went in with the promise of becoming a pilot, only to be sent to gunnery school instead. He trained in Aurora, Co, where he also earned the Golden Gloves for boxing. He began his service to the 401st in October of 1944 and saw his first combat mission on 21 Nov, 1944, and his last on 21 March, 1945. He flew 36 missions in all and suffered no injuries, even after one of the aircraft he served on, the Hard Seventeen, crashed near Grimbergen, Belgium. After he finished his last combat mission, he stayed on as a flak gunner until the end of the War in Europe.

Recorded Missions ¶

Life before the War ¶

Edward was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, on August 8th, 1923, and grew up in Mesa, AZ. Like many of the Greatest Generation, his family struggled to live on their farm during the Great Depression. After his father died when he was aged 16, he worked hard to pay off the debt his father left behind. He worked at the Rainbow Baking Company until he entered military service at age 21.

Life after the War ¶

After the war, Edward returned to his job at the Bakery, met the love of his life, Noveda Elizabeth Smith, and they were married in 1946. He worked hard, raised a family of 5 children and retired in 1986. He enjoyed a good retirement and, in 1994, a renewed association with the 401st BG. In 1999, his wife was diagnosed with lymphoma, and he worked hard to see her through it. He, himself, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2003, and endured heart surgery, with his wife by his side, to correct it.

In 2004, while driving her to a doctor's appointment, his wife was killed in a car accident. He was ruled at fault and was emotionally devastated. In order to escape his pain, he returned with the 401st to England in 2005 for what he thought would be the last time. While there, he thought of his crash in Belgium and wanted to return there, but did not have the time and couldn't remember exactly where it had occurred. In 2006, he was contacted by a Belgian Aviation Historian, Frans Van Humbeek, with photos and information about the crash.

In 2007, after a week in England, he returned to Grimbergen, where he was given a Hero's Welcome by the People and Town of Grimbergen, local news media, the Belgian Air Force, American Embassy and many Belgians who served during the war or were present at the crash. This did miracles to lift Edward's spirits after the loss of his wife.

He died on February 2, 2013, after 10 years of a weakening heart. He was surrounded by his children, grand-children and great grand-children at his passing. Afterwards, he continued to receive accolades for his service from the City of Grimbergen and others who appreciated his service during the war...