Edward J Rubin (1923 - 1943)

Born 29 Oct 1923 in Caledonia, Columbia, Wisconsin, United States

Died 20 Dec 1943 at age 20 in Saxony, Germany

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Biography

Edward Rubin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

Edward Rubin was awarded the Air Medal.

Staff Sergeant Edward Rubin served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 29 Fed 1941
Unit(s): 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force
Service ended: 31 Dec 1943

Staff Sergeant Edward Rubin was Killed in Action on a mission to Bremen, Germany during World War II.

Edward was born 29 October 1923 in Caledonia, Wisconsin. He was the son of William Henry Rubin and Augusta Petra.

Edward was the tail gunner of the B-24 Liberator bomber, Ball of Fire III #41-40128 participating in Operation Tidal Wave the low-level attack on the Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti on 1 August 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying for the mission.

He was killed in action when the B-24, 42-40133, was shot down on a mission to Bremen, Germany on 20 December 1943. All 9 crew members perished. Intitially Edward was listed as Missing in Action. He was declared dead 7 September 1945. His body is considered unrecoverable.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #56293945 (accessed 30 August 2023)
  Memorial page for SSgt Edward J. Rubin (unknown-20 Dec 1943), citing Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England (plot: Tablets of the Missing); Maintained by John Dowdy (contributor 47791572).
• 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
  citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 70; Digital film/folder number: 004955421; FHL microfilm: 2342299; Image number: 304; Sheet number: 5; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03797-4
  FamilySearch Record: X93T-Y58 (accessed 30 August 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R8N-8CC
  Edward Rubin (6), single son, in household of William H Rubin (48) in Caledonia, Columbia, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Wisconsin.
• 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 32; Digital film/folder number: 005461196; Image number: 31; Sheet number: 3; Sheet letter: A
  FamilySearch Record: K7JW-WL2 (accessed 30 August 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-89M1-ZWHY
  Edward Rubin (16), single son, in household of William H Rubin (58) in Caledonia, Columbia, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Wisconsin.

Sources

• Military: "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946"
  citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland
  FamilySearch Record: KMX5-3TF (accessed 30 August 2023)
  Military Service Place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; Reel Box Card: 02112.68; Enlistment Year: 1941; Name: Edward J Rubin; Civil Occupation Orig: 736; Enlistment Year Orig: 41; Serial Number: 16047688; Education Orig: 4; Civil Occupation: Semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor; Source: Civil Life; Race: White; Branch Code Orig: 20; Marital Status: Single, without dependents; Source Orig: 0; Military Service Date: 31 Dec 1941; Birth Place: WISCONSIN; Enlistment Term: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law; Grade Code Orig: 8; Major Force Of Assign: 0; Enlistment Place Orig: 6359; Branch Alpha Orig: AC; Enlistment Day: 31; Birth Date: 1923; Component Orig: 6; Enlistment Term Orig: 5; Education: 4 years of high school; Enlistment Place: MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN; Grade Code: Private; Enlistment Month: Dec; Arc Identifier: 1263923; Enlistment Month Orig: 12; Event Type: Military Service; Grade Alpha Orig: PVT; Branch Code: Air Corps; Military Occupation: 7016.
• FOUR PORTAGE MEN ENLIST IN AIR CORPS: "Newspapers.com"
  Portage Daily Register (Portage, Wisconsin) Fri, Jan 2, 1942, page 1
  Newspapers Clip: 130942946 (accessed 30 August 2023)
• Given Flying Cross: "Newspapers.com"
  Portage Daily Register (Portage, Wisconsin) Wed, Nov 17, 1943, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 130942319 (accessed 30 August 2023)
• Decorations Awarded To 42 Wisconsin Fliers: "Newspapers.com"
  The Sheboygan Press (Sheboygan, Wisconsin) Wed, Nov 17, 1943, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 68491946 (accessed 30 August 2023)
• Local Airman Is Missing: "Newspapers.com"
  Portage Daily Register (Portage, Wisconsin) Tue, Jan 4, 1944, page 1
  Newspapers Clip: 130941057 (accessed 30 August 2023)
• Sgt. Rubin Is Declared Dead: "Newspapers.com"
  Portage Daily Register (Portage, Wisconsin) Fri, Sep 14, 1945, page 1
  Newspapers Clip: 130971833 (accessed 31 August 2023)
• Memorial Mass For E. J. Rubin: "Newspapers.com"
  Portage Daily Register (Portage, Wisconsin) Tue, Feb 19, 1946, page 3
  Newspapers Clip: 130942630 (accessed 30 August 2023)
• Military: "U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985"
  National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985; NAID: 6016127; Record Group Number: 15; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2375 #3815498 (accessed 30 August 2023)
  Service Branch: US Army; Cemetery Location: Portage Wis, USA; Cemetery: St Mary's; Service Number: 16 047 688; Birth Date: 29 Oct 1923; Discharge Date: 7 Sep 1945; Rank: Staff Sergeant; Enlistment Date: 29 Dec 1941; Name: Edward J Rubin; Death Date: 7 Sep 1945.
• National Archives, Missing Air Crew Reports - MACR - 2188
• American Battle Monument Commission - Edward J. Rubin