Edwin E. Cowgill was born on 5 November 1924, in Ashland, Ohio. His parents are John & Rella (White) Cowgill. Edwin had attended and graduated from Martel High School, Class of 1943. It appears Edwin’s father, John, had died prior to 1930. His mother remarried to Harry Gilmore. His mother died in May 1940. Edwin had listed his sister, Mary A. Reed, as his point of contact on his draft card. He had a brother, Cpl. John W. Cowgill, serving in the United States Marines.

Edwin E. Cowgill was drafted into service on 28 June 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. Edwin attended training at Camp Grant, Illinois; Sheppard Field, Texas, Amarillo, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada and Drysburg, Tennessee. He attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.) and was in the Army Air Corps. Sgt. Edwin E. Cowgill was serving as a Top Turret Gunner aboard a B-17 Bomber. Sgt. Cowgill was assigned to the 613th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group (Heavey). On 20 April 1945, he was aboard B-17 #43-39125, the “You All Right” aka ‘Der Grossarschvogel‘. His crew was part of a formation that was flying the last combat mission of the war for the 401st Bombardment Group. This was to be the last bombing mission into Germany, due to the dangers of hitting friendly troops. Allied ground forces had made their way into Germany at this point in the war.

On this mission B-17 #43-39125, “You All Right,” was hit by flak. The mission was to bomb the marshaling yards in Brandenburg, Germany. The aircraft received a direct flak hit and fell out of the formation. The You All Right blew up on the way down. It had happened so quickly that the crew had no chance to bail out. Five of the ten crew members survived by being either blown free of the aircraft or falling out as it broke apart. The remaining five members were trapped in the wreckage and killed. Sgt. Edwin E. Cowgill was among those killed in action that day. The You All Right was the last ship lost in 401st. Bombardment Group to combat action. It appears that Cowgill was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSgt.).

Among those who survived from the You All Right were the pilot, Lieutenant Aubrey Bradley and waist-gunner, Staff Sergeant Frederick C. Nachtigal . When Lt. Bradley reached the ground he was beaten very badly by German civilians. He was then rescued by members of the Luftwaffe. Also surviving was Staff Sergeant Frederick C. Nachtigal, Cleveland, Ohio. SSgt. Nachtigal was also rescued from an angry mob, by the Luftwaffe. They were taken to the nearest base. SSgt. Nachtigal tells of his experience in his book, “My Friend My Enemy.” While in captivity a German guard was ordered to take Nachtigal out and execute him. Instead the guard disobeyed the orders and assisted Nachtigal in escaping. After the war, Nachtigal would reevaluate his life. He went to college and later became a Catholic Priest, in Ashtabula, Ohio. Later, the German guard would come to Ashtabula, Ohio, to visit Nachtigal. Rev. Fred C. Nachtigal served as an Assistant Pastor, at St. Stanislaus Parish, in Youngstown, Ohio, from 1972-1981.

SSgt. Edwin E. Cowgill is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Edwin E. Cowgill is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.

Crew of You All Right, B-17 #43-39125:
1st Lt. A. J. Bradley Jr. Pilot, Survived/POW
1st Lt. K. F. Carey Co-pilot, Survived
2nd Lt. M. W. Peterson Navigator, Survived
Sgt. W. K. Benson Bombardier, KIA
TSgt. A. Massa Radio Operator (614th Sqdn.), KIA
Sgt. E. E. Cowgill Eng./Top Turret Gunner, KIA
Sgt. W. T. Vaughn Jr. Ball Turret Gunner, Survived
SSgt. W. J. McKee Tail Gunner, KIA
SSgt. F. C. Nachtigal Waist Gunner, Survived/POW
SSgt. G. Toombs Radio Countermeasures Operator, K.I.A.