Staff Sergeant Edgar Eggen was a member of a Flying Fortress, or B-17 crew, and was evidently on one of his first missions when he was reported as missing in action over Germany. 

He went overseas early in October 1944 and had been in action a comparatively short time when he was reported missing. 

One of the very first of the fine patriotic young men of the country to enlist for the service, Sergeant Eggen had been with the United States Army Air Force for four years. He enlisted in company with the late Robert Russell on  December 5, 1940, exactly four years before he was reported as missing over Germany. 

Edgar J. Eggen received his basic Army training at Keesler Field, MS. He graduated from the Aerial Gunnery (Flexible) School at T'yndall Field, Florida, and he received another diploma in basic engineering when he graduated from the University of Maryland on April 1, 1944. He received the aircraft armorer's diploma at Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado on May 23, 1942. He was also stationed in South Carolina; Nashville, TN; Lincoln, NE; and Ardmore, Oklahoma during his long period of service in the Army.  

The following is the War Department telegram received by Mrs. Eggen: 

12/27/44   
Washington, DC 
Mrs. Julia Eggen 
Colfax, Wisconsin 

The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son Staff Sergeant Edgar J. Eggen has been reported missing in action since 5 December over Germany. If further details or other information are received, you will be promptly notified.
[**data missing**]DUNLOP
[**data missing**]acting for Adjutant General. 

It is the sincere hope of everyone that Sergeant Eggen was able to parachute to safety from his plane which was either shot down or forced down over Germany. There is a strong possibility that he is either safe as a prisoner of war or that he may be even more fortunate in being able to return to his own forces. Further details are yet lacking.