Ex-POW and former B-17 navigator finally receives WWII air medal

Former B-17 navigator gets WWII medal

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — A World War II bomber’s navigator, who saved a crewmate’s life as their B-17 was going down over Berlin in 1944, has received an overdue Air Medal.

Administrative errors were blamed for the 66-year oversight, but 2nd Lt. Robert L. Giles finally received the award, which was presented Tuesday by Col. Fredrick Hartwig, commander of the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 150th Fighter Wing.

“I would like to let this serve as a reminder of what we can accomplish and what we are all capable of when the need arises,” Hartwig said. “Great thanks to Mr. Robert Giles for your service and your example.”

After dropping its payload on April 18, 1944, the bomber was hit by cannon fire from a German fighter plane, disabling the aircraft and severely injuring the bombardier, Lt. Quintin Brown, who sustained wounds to both knees and an arm.

“The fighter planes defended Berlin like no other target in Germany,” Giles recalled.

Despite a wound to his own arm, Giles retrieved and secured harnesses for Brown and himself. With the bomber in flames and beginning to spin out of control, Giles carried Brown to an escape hatch and both parachuted to safety.

They were captured and remained prisoners of war until being liberated from Stalag Luft III in 1945.

“His greatest act was not flying five missions, for which he is receiving the Air Medal now,” explained Lee Aston, a member of the 44th Bomb Group veterans association. “His greatest act was saving the life of his bombardier.”

Giles said 21 B-17s from his unit took off from England that morning; his bomber was among 11 lost that day. He said two crewmates, the pilot and radio operator, couldn’t get out of the bomber and died when it crashed.

Giles, who turns 89 on April 16, moved to Albuquerque after retiring from the National Park Service in 1976. Brown died two years ago.

“I’m sorry he couldn’t be here today,” Giles said. “He would have loved it.”