BITS ABOUT 'EM
A/C Roger E. Maillard, who is taking advanced training as a 2-engine bomber pilor at Stockton Field, Cal., was visited by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hiatt, and son, Billy. The HIATTS had been visiting Mrs. Hiatt’s mother, Mrs. Emma Hall, and other relatives here and his mother at Omaha enroute to Seattle, Wash. He is in the coast artillery at Bremerton, Wash., and had been here on a furlough.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Monday, May 05, 1944, Page 6
Graduates As Army Pilot
Flight Officer Roger E. Maillard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W., is a member of a class of student officers and aviation cadets who were graduated this week from the army air forces pilot school of advanced 2-engine planes at Stockton Field, Cal. Flight Officer Maillard was home on a short leave and will report to Las Vegas Army Air Field, Las Vegas, Nev. He received his basic and primary training at Bakersfield, Cal., and Wickenburg, Arizona. (Lock Photo).
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Friday, July 07, 1944, Page 8 (photo included)
WHEREABOUTS
Flight Officer Roger E. Maillard and 2nd Lt. John Reash spent 2 days last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W. They had both completed their training as pilots on a B-17 4-engine Flying Fortress at Las Vegas, Nev. They left Thursday morning for Lincoln, Nebr., a replacement center. Lt. Reash’s home is in Pittsburg, Pa. Flight Officer Maillard and Lt. Reash both received their silver wings June 27 at Stockton, Cal.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Monday, August 21, 1944, Page 8
His Damaged Bomber Hit Own Craft
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W., have received a letter from the personal affairs division of the war department telling how the B-17 piloted by their son, Lt. Roger Mao;;ard, missing in action since March 23, was seen to have been damaged and then hit by friendly aircraft in mid-air.
"Information has been received indicating that Flight Officer Maillard was a co-pilot on a B-17 (Flying Fortress) bomber which participated in a bombardment mission to Germany on March 23, 1945. The report reveals that during this mission about 1:45 p.m., in the vicinity of Koblenz, Germany, your son's bomber sustained damage from enemy anti-aircraft fire and while leaving the formation collided in mid-air with another or our aircraft. Two parachutes were seen to emerge from the disabled craft before it descended toward the earth, but it is regretted that no other information has been received in this headquarters relative to the whereabout of Flight Officer Maillard," read the letter.
"Believing you may wish to communicate with the families of the others who were in the plane with your son, I am inclosing (sic) a list of these men and the names and addresses of their next of kin.
"Please be assured that at continuing search by land, sea and air is being made to discover the whereabouts of our missing personnel. Any addition information received will be sent immediately to you by the adjutant general or this headquarters."
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Monday, May 24, 1945, Page 8
ROGER MAILLARD, MISSING YEAR AGO, IS DECLARED DEAD
Plane Was Hit on Return
From 11th Mission Over Germany
Flight Officer Roger E. Maillard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W., who was reported missing on a bombing mission over Coblenz, Germany on March 23, a year ago, is presumed to have lost his life on that date, according to word received here from Adj. Gen. Edward F. Witsell.
Pilot Maillard’s plane was hit by flak after he had dropped his bombs over the enemy target. At a height of 1,500 feet as it was leaving formation, it collided with another plane. The collision cut the tail off Maillard’s plane and it was seen to go down in a forest with black smoke emerging from it. Two men were seen to parachute from the other plane. Each plane carried 9 men.
Roger spent his 22nd birthday over Berlin and had written home that he hoped he would never celebrate another birthday that way. It was only 8 days later that he failed to return.
He entered the army air corps on Feb. 23, 1943. He spent 7 months at East Lansing, Mich.; State college and from there was sent to Santa Ana, Cal. Later after finishing primary training at Wickenburg, Ariz., he continued his flight training at Bakersfield, Cal., and was given his silver wings as pilot at the AT-17 twin-engine school at Stockton, Cal., on June 27, 1944.
He came home on Christmas day, 1944, for 2 days before leaving for overseas. He flew his own plane by way of Greenland and Iceland and arrived at Norwich, England, on the first of January. He was on his 11th mission over Germany when his plane failed to return.
His plane was named after Lana Turner and was called "The Tempest Turner," bought with the proceeds from the picture "Marriage Is A Private Affair," starring Miss Turner. Mrs. Maillard has received a number of letters and pictures of the plane from Miss Turner.
Roger Earl Maillard was born at Mason City on March 15, 1923, and was graduated from the high school in 1941. he worked for a while at Yelland and Hanes bookstore and at the Very Best dairy.
Roger was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior's Lutheran church. His hobby was making airplane models and he had always wanted to fly. He received the navy award for airplane models made for his high school manual training class.
Besides his parents he leaves one brother, Wallace R. Maillard of Perry, who served in the south Pacific in the marine corps and was injured on the Saratoga; a nephew, Donald Roger Maillard, Perry; his grandmother, Mrs. Emma Hall, Mason City, and a number of aunts and uncles here and in Washington.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, March 20, 1946, Page 11 (photo included)
MAILLARD MEMORIAL SERVICE
at OUR SAVIOUR'S SUNDAY
At 3 p.m. With
Rev. C. A. Anderson in Charge of Rites
Memorial services for Flight Officer Roger E. Maillard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W., will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Our Saviour's Lutheran church with the Rev. C. A. Anderson, pastor of the church, in charge.
F/O Maillard was killed over Coblenz, Germany, when his plane was hit by enemy flak while on his 11th mission as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 34th bomb group. He was officially declared dead by the war department a year later, March 23, 1946.
Maillard was born in Mason City on March 15, 1923. He was graduated from the high school in 1941. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran church.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, April 24, 1946, Page 11
HONOR MEMORY of MAILLARD
"Life Not Lost, Given For Mankind," Anderson
"War is man's program and full responsibility for every life sacrificed is placed at man's own door," charged the Rev. C. H. Anderson at Our Saviour's Lutheran church Sunday afternoon in memorial services honoring Flight Officer Roger E. Maillard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Maillard, 2515 Jefferson S. W., killed in action in Germany.
"War is not God's will but an example of man's blunder until he is touched and regenerated by God," continued Mr. Anderson. "Peace is God's program -- He is a God of life.
"We will not say that Roger lost his life, as God gave His only begotten Son for the salvation of humanity, so can every home that carries a gold star take comfort that it has given a life on the cross of sacrifice for the freedom of mankind.
"Death can not touch man's soul. There is richness in the remembrance of this young man's life. Let us express our gratitude by dedicating our lives to the task of freeing the world of wrongs that made his sacrifice necessary."
Miss Ruth Dougall sang "Come, Ye Disconsolate" and "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go." She was accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Randall Jones.
Friends and relatives of the Maillard family had subscribed $90 for a memorial, it was announced.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace R. Maillard and son, of Perry, attended.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, April 29, 1946, Page 7
Sgt. Roger E. Maillard has a cenotaph in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
