Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Vietnam War Bronze Star and Second War Air Medal group of fourteen awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Rolland Turner Gill, a lead B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ Bombardier and Master Navigator who became a prisoner of war when his aircraft was hit and brought down over Holland by another B-17; he later became a targeting expert, playing a major role in selecting SAC nuclear targets in the Soviet Union and later in North Vietnam

United States of America, Bronze Star, bronze, crimp brooch, in case of issue, with enamelled lapel miniature riband bar; Air Medal, bronze, wrap brooch, in case of issue; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel, crimp brooch, in case of issue, with enamelled lapel miniature riband bar; American Campaign Medal 1941-45, bronze, crimp brooch; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, bronze, crimp brooch; Victory Medal 1945, bronze, crimp brooch; National Defense Service Medal, bronze, crimp brooch, in box of issue; Joint Service Commendation Medal, gilt and enamel, crimp brooch, engraved ‘Roland T. Gill’, in case of issue; Air Force Commendation Medal, bronze, crimp brooch, engraved ‘R. T. Gill’; Army Commendation Medal, bronze, crimp brooch; Prisoner of War medal, bronze, crimp brooch, in box of issue; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, bronze, slot brooch; Vietnam Service Medal, bronze, crimp brooch; South Vietnam, Service Medal, 1 clasp, 1960, generally very fine or better (14) £700-£900

Citation for the Bronze Star, SO G-848, Headquarters 7th Air Force:
‘Lieutenant Colonel Rolland T. Gill distinguished himself by meritorious service as Chief of Data Division, Directorate of Targets, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters Seventh Air Force, Republic of Vietnam, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force from 28 March 1967 to 10 February 1968. During this period, Colonel Gill, with utmost proficiency and skill, directed the collection, refinement, and dissemination of intelligence on the out-country areas of responsibility and through his efforts, the entire Data Division was improved in all operational and administrative aspects. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavour, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Gill in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.’

Rolland Turner Gill was born in Los Gatos, California, on 19 September 1922, and enlisted in the US Army as an Aviation Cadet on 28 January 1942. He was posted to train at the Advanced Flying Training School, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and began his pilot training on the PT-13 aircraft. It fairly quickly became clear that he did not have the aptitude to be a pilot, so he accepted alternative flying duties, and began training as a B-26 Bombardier with the 336 Bomb Group at Avon Park, Florida. On 30 October 1942, after 230 flying hours, he graduated as an Aerial Bombardier, being commissioned Lieutenant in the US Army the following day. On 5 January 1943, he was posted to 479 Squadron, 836 Bomber Group for advanced Bombardier/Navigator training on B-26 aircraft, completing his training on 14 September. Allocated to the 561st Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, Gill left the US for England on 4 October 1943, taking part in his first mission, an 8¾ hour trip to Kiel, Germany on 13 December 1943. Between then and 4 March 1944, Gill would take part in a further 12 missions, mostly to targets in Germany, having become became Principal Day Bombardier on 1 March. On 6 March, Gill would take part in his 14th and final mission with 561st Squadron, an attack on industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin.

On the way to and from the target, the crew encountered intense flak, rockets and FW-190 and ME-109 fighters. On the return journey, near Quakenbruck, Germany, their plane was involved in a mid-air collision when another B-17 in the formation, flying below them, rose and hit them, detaching part of their left wing and the ball-turret. Their aircraft had been rammed by B-17 #42-37886, from the 562nd Bomb Squadron, at about 2:55 ‘and went down steeply’. His plane burst on fire. Captain Brown ordered the crew to bail out. The Navigator and Bombardier were blown out of the nose and the Co-pilot never got his chute on. The aircraft fell, crashed and burned, coming down near Coevorden, Holland, just over the border from Germany. Gill was captured by the Germans and incarcerated in Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia, Germany for some 14 months, until the POW camp was liberated by the Russians in June 1945. He was Honourably Discharged on 30th November, and on 1st December 1945, he joined the Army Air Force Reserve.

Gill re-entered the service on 1 May 1951, and was promoted permanent Captain on 5 August 1953. In October 1954, he began a six month Observer Upgrading Course, followed by a further 7 month Air Observer Nav-Bombardier training and other courses. In May 1956 he attended a Nuclear Weapons Delivery Course, followed by Advanced Survival Training. On 16 March 1958, he began to play his part in the Cold War, when he was posted to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona as Nav-Bomb. of the six engine B-47 “Stratojet” long range bomber. His squadron, 65 Sqn., 43rd Bomb Wing, was part of the US Strategic Air Command (SAC). His primary duties included navigating his aircraft to his appointed target in the Soviet Union and delivering his Nuclear Weapons. On 6 January 1958, Captain Gill was selected for an appointment in the newly formed Regular Air Force. Major Gill (40690A) was awarded The Air Force Commendation Medal for “Meritorious Service 16th March 1955 to 8th March 1960”, for his navigational skills while serving with SAC.

On 4 March 1960, he moved to 529 Sqn., (SAC) at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, where he remained until April 1964. He had been promoted to permanent Major on 28 February 1963, having held acting ranks of Major then Lt. Col. since 18 February 1959. He now became a Staff Officer in the Combat Targeting Division, HQ SAC at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. It is probable that he now played a major role in selecting SAC nuclear targets in the Soviet Union. He was promoted to permanent Lt. Col. on 20 March 1966, with rank backdated to 4 April 1965. His next posting was to Vietnam, where he arrived on 26 March 1967. Here his was again to use his targeting expertise in the war against North Vietnam. He left Vietnam for home on 27 March 1968 and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during the War. Gill now became an Intelligence Staff Officer, 1133 U.S.A.F. Sp. Acty. Wg. at Arlington Hall Station, Virginia. His last posting was at Fort Belvoir, Virginia with 1133 Support Activity Squadron (HQ Command USAF) in the Plans & Analysis Branch. Gill finally retired on 31 March 1972, and died on 12 March 1999, at the age of 76. He is buried in Section 67 Site 4111 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sold a pair of shoulder boards and the following original documents: Air Force Commendation Medal award document; Citation for Bronze Star; Aerial Bombardier Diploma; Appointment as First Lieutenant, Army Air Corps; Certificate of Service; Discharge document; photographs of recipient in uniform and other miscellaneous documents. Additionally, three original record files, Officer Command Selection Record; flight record, and Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation records, these containing a huge amount of detail on the recipient’s service.