BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION WILMETTE RESIDENT DIED IN MILITARY SERVICE WORLD WAR II EDGAR GAYLE PENNEY First Lieutenant, Ninth Army Air Force, Group (lead plane) Bombardment Officer, with ratings of bombardier, navigator and observer; Killed in action over Tunisia on May 6, 1943. (Listed as missing until June 1, 1944.) As bombardier, he was in the nose of the lead plane of the fourth wave in the battle of Tunis. On December 19, 1943 the Silver Star decoration was presented on Lt. Penney's behalf to his father. From the citation: " ...Lieutenant Penney, bombardier of a medium bombardment aircraft on May 6, 1943, took part in a raid over enemy territory...While over the target his aircraft became the focal point for a concentrated barrage of enemy anti-aircraft fire. It received a direct hit, and burst into flames. Lieutenant Penney, undaunted in the face of certain death, remained at his post, continuing to drop his bombs calmly and precisely, doing great damage to enemy installations ..." Also awarded: Purple Heart and Presidential Group Citation. Survived, at the time of his death, by: Parents, Mr. & Mrs. Freeman S. Penney, 900 Chestnut Av., Wilmette Brother, Tech. Sgt. Freeman S. Penney, Jr., of the U.S. Army Air forces, now a prisoner of war in Germany. Sister, Phyllis Penney Born in Fullerton, Neb. on November 19, 1920. Moved to California, where he received his education and graduated from Redondo Union High School. Entered the University of Alabama, where he was a memberof Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In April 1941, in his junior year, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, receiving his commission April 1, 1942 at Kirkland Field, Albuquerque. Later promoted to first lieutenant. When his group left for foreign service, he went almost immediately into combat with the Ninth Army Air Force, attached to the British Eighth Army that drove German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's forces across North Africa. The British cited his group for decoration. Sources:Wllmette Life, December 23, 1943 and June 1, 1944 Church records, St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Wilmette Freeman S. Penney, Jr. (brother), Lakewood, IL 1995Family Contact: F.S. Penney, Jr. (brother), 245 Cumberland, Lakewood, IL 62438 (815) 459-9553 -77-.