Sergeant Inman Cloyde Gooday
Comanche/Fort Sill Apache
US Army Air Force, World War II
533rd Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
8th US Air Force (the Mighty Eighth)
Captured On September 10, 1944
Liberated on April 25, 1945

SGT Gooday was from the Boone-Apache area. He was drafted into the military on June 30, 1943 and served until November 4, 1945. SGT Gooday was a ball turret gunner aboard a 1-man crew B-17 "Flying Fortress" called the "Fort Worth Gal." He and his Group were based at Station 17, Ridgewell Airfield outside of Essex, England. On September 10, 1944, his plane along with five other B-17's took part in an attack on Gaggenau, Germany. Bombing reports were excellent. Flak was meager and no enemy aircraft were encountered, however, his plane was reported missing in action. SGT Gooday said they were shot down over Baden-Baden, Germany. He was on his eighth combat mission. he parachuted to safety and was captured by the Germans. Seven crew members were reported as POW's and two were listed as MIS's. SGT Gooday was detained at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. The Germans were ordered to leave Stalag Luft 4 in late January and early February, 1945. He was moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust then to Usedom Bei Savenmunde 54-16, Germany and liberated after 288 days in captivity. His awards include the American Theater Service Medal; the EAME Medal w/4 Bronze Stars; the Air Medal; the World War II Victory Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal. SGT Gooday died on November 5, 2004 and is buried at Fort Sill Apache Cemetery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was 80 years old (DOB February 21, 1924).