Edgar Eugene Blaydes was born on January 11, 1921, in Putnam County, Indiana. He was the son of Edgar Clay Blaydes and Sarah Straughn Davis Blaydes.

Edgar Eugene served in the 863rd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot on the B-17G #43-38355 during World War II. He was Killed in Action when his B-17 was attacked by German aircraft and crashed in Ueplingen, west of Magdeburg, Germany.

2Lt Blaydes is now buried in the Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, together in the same grave with 1Lt Owen. He also has a cenotaph located in the Roachdale Cemetery in Indiana.

Airmen who perished on B-17G #43-38355:
Blaydes, Edgar E ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Indiana
Gray, Donald W ~ S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, New York
Owen, George W ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, Illinois
Trunzo, Peter M ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, California

Airmen who became POW's from B-17G #43-38355 (all survived the war):
Fahey, Donald ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator
Fiore, Roy F ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner
Gialloreto, Charles C ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Jorg, Luther J ~ S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
Tipton, L C ~ FO, Bombardier

Source of information: www.findagrave.com