Edward “Pappy” Gignac in his plane. “Gig” won the Silver Star on June 18, 1942, for repeatedly attacking Japanese bombers while being riddled by pursuing Zeros. He was badly injured on July 11, 1942, after force landing his P-400 due to engine failure. He was KIA by flak while strafing in support of D-Day operations near Voisin le-Bretonneux (Versailles area) on June 7, 1944. Major Gignac was Group Operations Officer, HQ 352nd FG at the time of his death. He is buried in the U.S. Military Cemetary at Epinal, France.