Technical Sergeant Gordon Edward Durland
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he flew B-26 bombers with the 557th Bombardment Squadron — a unit known as “Keller's Killers.”
Technical Sergeant Gordon Edward Durland was born on March 3rd, 1921 in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Technical Sergeant Durland remained here while he grew up, even attending high school at Elmer L. Meyers High School. In the year 1940, Technical Sergeant Durland turned 19 and was in his 4th year of high school at Meyers High School.
Only a year later, on March 26th, 1941, Technical Sergeant Durland enlisted into the US Army Air Corp, just about one month before it would become the US Army Air Force, the precursor to the Air Force itself. Following his enlistment and training,Technical Sergeant Durland joined the 557th Bombardment Squadron of the 387th Bomber Group during the war and served as a member of the unit known as “Keller’s Killers”. This unit trained in a few different locations, one of which being here in Tampa, at Macdill Airforce Base. It is possible that Technical Sergeant Durland trained here in 1942 and 1943.
As a member of the Keller’s Killers, Technical Sergeant Durland flew in a Martin B-26 Marauder, one of the most infamous bombers of the war, and fought in nearly every one of the most significant Campaigns in Europe including Normandy, Northern France, The Battle of The Bulge, and the Rhineland. Following an incredible career in the US Army Airforce, Technical Sergeant Durland was honorably discharged on August 25th, 1945. Technical Sergeant Durland married Genevieve Karoski around this time as well, and would go on to have a son, David. Technical Sergeant Durland did not live the civilian life for long, as soon after, he reenlisted into the newly created US Air Force in 1947.
Technical Sergeant Durland continued serving through the Korean War. Not much is known about his time serving in the 50s, but it is likely that Technical Sergeant Durland was promoted at this time and spent his time stateside. It was during this time that Sergeant Durland divorced and remarried to Bette Ann Stice in 1952. Technical Sergeant Durland was honorably discharged for the second time on January 31st, 1960.
He moved to Tampa, Florida, the site of his training 20 years earlier as a member of the Keller’s Killers. Technical Sergeant Durland passed away on October 10th, 1981 after a long and illustrious career as he watched the air force, in its infancy, become an essential part of the American Military.