Gerard C. Antaillia was born on February 17, 1923. He was the son of Joseph P. Antaillia and Della E. Antaillia. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17G #42-102599 during World War II.

On July 16, 1944, the aircraft was lost during a bombing mission over Munich, Germany, bearing the squadron code N8-U, which had been delivered earlier that year and was operating from Nuthampstead, England. During the mission, the B-17 sustained severe damage from enemy anti-aircraft fire (flak), leading to its crash near Brettersberg, northeast of Innsbruck, Germany. Of the nine-man crew, two were killed including Sgt Antaillia—while the remaining seven were captured and became prisoners of war.

Sgt Antaillia is now buried in the Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, Windsor, Essex County, Ontario, Canada. Gerard C. Antaillia's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 18, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: B-17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org