Believed to have been in B17 42-31016, Sweet
Sixteen when shot down on 4 Jan 1944 on bomb run over Kiel, GER. Believe
that all crew bailed out alive, Martin may have been killed.
Was captured in Holland, escaped and was
captured again. He said that the main prison he was kept in was "San
Gilles" (possibly St. Gilles
prison in Belgium) He escaped and was repatriated through the French
and Belgian underground.
He may also have been in the Belgian Civilian Internment Camp (but that
may be another name for St. Gilles?)
The 92nd BG site USAAF-USAF Memorial Association has an entry for 1/4/44
showing the plane
as a "loss" and the crew "unaccounted" but at the bottom references
Babcock's escape with 2 Lt. John J. Bradley who had been shot down 5 Nov
43. They
escaped from a train that was "evacuating" them to Germany. The train was
derailed by Patriots and the Germans abandoned the train and the prison.
Photo.
Standing R to L:
P: LT Joseph C. Hughes
CP: Lt Bromby Westlake
N: LT Albert Stern
B: LT Ford W Babcock
ENG: S/S John P. Tonon
Kneeling R to L:
WG: Sgt John S Toth
RO: S/S Richard L. Martin
LT Albert Stern (or Stone?) [Mission Report has Stern "Lt." - my dad wrote
"Stone Asst Radio Operator" and theman in the picture does not appear to
be an officer - mission report may be
different than the crew of 1/4/44],
WG: Sgt Harold Kurlanshik
TG: Sgt Raymond M Milcsik
Source:
johnbabcock@cox.net
Bachman
1LT
O-671252
Justus
W
BZ 43-02
823
38
Went down on 28 Jan 1944 near Port
Moresby on plane B25 42-64881.
Crew list:
1LT Donald T. Renshaw, O-796885
2LT Jesus P. Badia, O-678139
1LT Calhoun P. Narten, O-795435
Sgt William D'Elia
T/S Norman L. Nelson
S/S Charles D. Plageman
Fighters attacked the
aircraft on the return from the target and inflicted damage , killing
one airman and severely wounding another. The Pilot went to the deck to
try reaching Sweden, but the fighters continued firing. A crash landing
was 3 km NE of Zerbst near a ME 109 airfield, SE of Magdeburg. S/Sgt
Nagy was trapped in the tail when a 20 mm shell exploded an inch below
his left knee. His leg was amputated in the hospital, but he died of
shock and loss of blood at 1600 hours in the County Hospital of Zerbst
that same day. T/Sgt Palmer was thrown clear of the aircraft in the
crash landing and broke his neck and died. S/Sgt Holmes was killed by 20
mm shell from a FW 190 impacting the ball turret and exploding. All
three airmen were buried in the POW Cemetery of Zerbst near the
airfield.
He's mentioned in the book "Heroes of the
483rd BG(H)". There's also a photo of him and his crew in it.
He was DFC recipient.
He was a member of the James W Loughner crew. 2 months at McDill. then
flew the southern route to Italy in B-17 #42-32071 named Moonbeam
McSwine. Flew the first Shuttle
mission to Russia 4/44. They bombed targets on both legs of the flight and
on 6/2 going and 6/6 coming back. He shot down an enemy a/c (probable)
over Blechhammer on 7/7/44.
Became a POW in Feb 1944 when his B-17F, 42-30378, Good
Time Cholly III was shot down by fighters while on a mission to
Braunschwieg, GER. Crash location was near Bimolten. MACR 2386.
Crew list:
P: LT A. D. Anderson
CP: LT A. L. Clapie
N: LT G. J. Feeley
B: LT B. L. Barker
TT: T/S K. N. Estep
RO: T/S L. A. Paxton
BT: S/S T. A. Mitchell
RW: S/S D. F. Kremper
LW: S/S R. B. Smith
TG: Sgt K. E. Evans
Became POW when 42-3029 Wallaroo on 14 Jan 1944 when
it failed to return due to flak and crashed at St. Valery, France.
MACR 1965. This from Project Bits and Pieces.
Crew list: all POW
P: Capt Merle R. Hungerford
CP: 2Lt Carl Arujndale
N: 2Lt Joe B. Vogel
B: 2Lt James F. Barloe
TT: S/S Charles C. Finch
RO: S/S Richard A. Davis Jr.
BT: Sgt Robert L. Clink
LW: Sgt Angelo P. Petix
RW: Sgt James T. Elovich
TG: Sgt Joseph F. Fertilla
PH: Sgt Arthur C. Nelson Jr.
Barnard
2LT
O-744173
William
O
SA 43-03
742
455
The plane 41-29570 called Blockbuster
Barnard, was shot down on 26 Jun 1944 during a raid on synthetic oil
refineries at Moosbierbaum, AUS. All became POW's except Teisinger
who was KIA. Abbondondelo was repatriated due to injuries.
MACR 6401.
Crew photo seating:
Back row: L to R:
Todd, Abbondondelo, Hachey, Seiler, Teisinger
Front row: L to R:
William Barnard, Elben Ezell, Archibald, Ramstad, William Madzik
William Ungemach replaced Ramstad after
the photo was taken.
Crew List:
P: 1LT Samuel A. Archibald
CP: 2LT William Ungemach, Jr.
N: 2LT Elben B. Ezell
RO: T/S Harry Seiler
TTE: T/S William J. Madzik
WG: S/S Joseph A. Abbondondelo
WG: S/S Joseph R. Hachey
BT: S/S Donald R. Teisinger
TG: S/S Miller D. Todd
Crew of B-17
#44-8191 downed 3/22/45. Bailed out over Breslau, Poland during
bombing mission on Ruhland, GER.
Crew list:
P: Capt
Andrew F. Crane
CP:1LT Paul H. Henke
N:1LT George W. Betchley
MICKEY:
1LT Donald F. Maine
BT:
T/S Donald A. Dorman
RO:
T/S Daniel P. Dunkerley
LW:
S/S Rae Guy DeMatteis
TG:
S/S Stephen J. Fatur
RW:
S/S Robert A. Keuchel
Became a POW on 25 Feb 1944 when his B-17 42-30329 was shot
down. POW at Stalag Luft 1. MACR 2595.
Crew list:
P: 1LT John E. Nortwick O-680339 POW Stalag Luft 1
CP: 1LT WIlliam D. Power O-1040293 Stalag Luft 1
N: 2LT Thomas J. Thompson, Jr. O-738799 Stalag Luft 1
ENG: T/S Otis B. Moye 34268401 Stalag Luft 4
RO: T/S Peter P. Martyniak 11037303 Stalag Luft 4
BT: S/S Gail F. Wiand 324939135 Stalag Luft 4
WG Ballard POW
TG: Yoasching POW
Barrett
O-757866
Ralph
G
RS 43-15
From ME.
Barry
James
J
KT 42-10
506
44
Shot down on 5 April 1945 while aboard
B-17, Tinker Belle. He was captured with seven others of his
crew and spent 9 days as a POW. The pilot and RO were KIA. The
last casualties from the 44th BG.
Barstad
2LT
Clifford
RT
CB 44-05
398
504
42-24790 - MACR 12151 -
Departed North Field on Tinian on 2/10/45 to participate in a bombing
mission to Ota, Japan. During this mission one wing of the aircraft
suffered heavy damage by enemy aircraft fire. Radio contact was last
established with the crew while they were approximately 275 miles north of
Tinian at which time their air-sea rescue call was received and it is
believed the aircraft ditched. An immediate search of the area failed to
reveal any trace of the aircraft or crew members.
AC: Capt. James L. Gist
P: 2LT William E. Welsh
N: 2LT Robert F. Ready
FE: T/S Eugene W. Demlow
RO: S/S Godfrey H. Sloan
CFC: Sgt. William E. Streisaguth
SG: Cpl. Francis T. DeVane
LG: Cpl. Domonic C. DiCamillo
RG: Cpl. Hartford H. Dunn
TG: Cpl. George M. Fallon
When my father, Joe's brother, passed away, I was provided
with the family files. I have a copy of the letter informing his
parents of the plane being shot down. It is dated August 4, 1944 and
states: "I am writing you with reference to your son, Staff Sergeant
Joseph F. Prazenica, who was reported by The Adjutant General as missing
in action over France since June 24th. Further information dated June
28th has just been received which indicates that Sergeant Prazenica was
a crew member of a B-24 (Liberator) bomber which participated in a
bombardment mission to France on June 24th. Full details are not
available, but the report indicates that during this mission while
crossing the coast of Ostende, Belgium, at approximately 7:30 p.m., your
son's Liberator encountered enemy antiaircraft fire and sustained
damage. One parachute emerged from the disabled bomber. Crew members
of returning planes could furnish no further details relative to the
disappearance of this aircraft or its crew. Due to the ncessity for
military security, it is regretted that the names of those who were in
the plane and the names and addresses of their next of kin may not be
furnished at the present time. Please be assured that a continuing
search by land, sea, and air is being made to discover the whereabouts
of our missing personnel. As our armies advance over enemy occupied
territory, special troops are assigned to this task, and all agencies of
the government in every country are constantly sending in details which
aid us in bringing additions information to you. Very sincerely,
A.A. Bradunas, Major, A.G.D., Chief, Notification Branch, Personal
Affairs Division, Assistant Chief Air Staff, Personnel."
Also in the files is an envelope post marked from Washington , DC dated
October 27, 1944. The only thing in the envelope is a plain sheet of
paper with 10 names.
Capt. George L. Baatz Jr.
Major Edward K. Kemp
1st Lt. Cletus E. Morrow
1st Lt. Harry H. Bartholomew
T/Sgt. Clyde Hathorne
S/Sgt. Howard F. Boxman
S/Sgt. Joseph F. Prazenica KIA
T/Sgt. Lloyd E. Bentley
T/Sgt. Gordon B. Adee
1st Lt. Bertram R. Coffenberry Jr.
KIA 8 March 1944 on plane 42-37878. He was killed by a
20mm shell from an enemy fighter. The a/c was badly shot up, jettisoning
their bombs and aborting the mission. He was a member of the 1LT
L. W. Sullivan crew.
He flew missions with the 379th from June 13, 1944 to March 19, 1945.
He was wounded on 09/19/1944 and
returned to combat duty in 01/1945. He received the DFC for his
actions on 09/14/1944. He served in the Korean Campaign and at
the SAC in Omaha, Neb. He retired in 1969 with the rank of Col.
Plane 44-69799, named City of Montgomery
or Wedding Belle. Crew P-03. Died 25 Feb 1998.
Source: www.39th.org
Bauer
2LT
Lieudell
D
Unknown
561
388
Became a POW on 11 Jan 1944 when his plane B-17G #
42-37867, Berlin Ambassador was shot down. Target for the
day was AGO Flugzeugwerke, Oschersleben, GER a producer of FW 190 parts.
Crew list:
P: 2LT Gustav G. Hoehn KIA
CP: 2LT George R. Owens POW
N: 2LT Donald S. Modarelli KIA
B: 2LT Lieudell D. Bauer POW
TT: S/S Charles C. Rigdon POW
RO: T/S Byron A. Wiberg, Jr. KIA
BT: S/S Peter J. Zaskiewicz KIA
RW: Sgt Edward W. Hincks, Jr. POW
LW: S/S Harlan S. Mann POW
TG: S/S Gerald F. Brinker POW
Bazemore, Jr
CAPT
Howard
M
MI 42-09
98
11
KIA on 4 May 1944.
From Richard Bazemore:
MIA along with rest of the crew HEAVEN CAN WAIT sponsored by
actor Don Ameche, on bombing run from staging area Eniwetok Atoll to
Ponape Island, May 4, 1944. Captain Bazemore was the 98th BS lead
bombardier and was an observer on this particular mission. Report from
Tokyo Rose news broadcast was shot down over Ponape, daylight mission,
one hour late from take off due to an electrical problem. Heaven Can
Wait was never seen or heard from again after take off.
KIA: 17 APR 1945Target: Railways;
Landshut, Germany. B-24M-5-FO, #44-50572 crashed and exploded on
Runway 25 at take off.
Crew list:
P: LT Douglas Torrance
CP: LT Donald D. Francisco
N: 2LT Fredrick McKinley KIA
B: 2LT Harold H. Beanland KIA
TTE: Sgt. Hairman M. Merrill KIA
RO: Sgt. James E. Gleason Jr. KIA
GNR: Sgt. Larry J. Caruso
GNR: Sgt. Richard G. Burt
GNR: Sgt. Richard G. Brede
TG: Sgt. Edward Paretti
Beattie
2LT
Robert
G
SA
44-07
865
494
Beck
2LT
O-688298
Francis
L
MI
43-11
719
449
KIA on 4 April 1944 on a mission to Bucharest
Marshalling Yards, Romania.
Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Becker
Edward
B
RS
42-16
447
321
Becker
2LT
LaVern
H
RS
44-04
678
444
KIA on 7 Dec 1944 when his B-29, serial # 42-6262, named
Round Trip Ticket was lost over Mukden, Manchuria. MACR 10041.
Crew list:
Major Carl R. Barnes
2LT Craig W. Blood
2LT William V. McCarthy Jr.
2LT James B. Conner
S/S Sylvester B. Buzanowski
Sgt Gordon N. Neitzel
Sgt. Delbert E. Winch
Cpl Roger F. Bach
Cpl Charles H. Thurston
Cpl Edwin W. Comstock, Jr.
9 August 1944 his plane #43-37529 was brought down. Their primary target, Munich, was weathered out
so they moved on to their secondary target, Karlsruhe.
Crew list:
P: 2LT G. J. Hogaboom
CP: 2LT L. R. James
N: F/O M. H. Neadeau
B: 2LT I. N. Beckman
RO: Sgt W. J. Knightley
TTE: Sgt A. Flores
BT: Sgt F. E. Gladden
WG: Sgt B. R. Robertson (TG)
TG: Sgt J. A. Jones (BT)
His plane
made an emergency
landing in Sweden on 9 April 1944 at the Kalmar airport after the plane
had been hit during a mission and an engine went out. He and the other
crew members were held in Sweden until Oct. 1944.
Mission was to Poznan, POL.
He is mentioned in two books:
1) 388th At War by Edward Huntzinger
2) Bombardier - A History by Phillip St. John
Became a POW on 26 May 1945 when B29 42-24723 named
Shanghai Lil Rides Again was shot down by flak over Tokyo.
Crew list:
P: 1LT Donald Racrae O-750808
CP: 1LT Raymond A. Stevenson O-807887
N: 1LT John L. Hinckley O-689608
ENG: 1LT William B. Miller O-864551
RDR: Sgt Ralph H. Jadd 35814516
RO: S/S Thomas J. Beverly, Jr. 16136345
CFC: S/S Glenn W. Nelson 16089119 drowned after bailout
WG: S/S Edward R. Nedodemus 33588419
WG: S/S Jacob B. Arnold 35564067
TG: S/S James E. Kraft 35599157
Bellfy
Curtis
C
Unknown
560
388
KIA on 30 Dec 1943.
His
plane was called My Day after the column written by Eleanor
Roosevelt.
The pilot was named Phillip Comella (KIA)
and co pilot was Guy Claypool (KIA).
Family
history states that the plane was heavily damaged during the mission over
Germany and got back as far as the English Channel, where it went down,
but not much else. Some crew survived, but most did not.
Curt Bellfy: The planes wreckage has been found by a
fishing boat off the coast of the Isle of Wight and a propeller was
brought up and is now in the Isle of Wight Military History Museum near
Cowes on the Isle, as well as a uniform that we presented to the museum
of my uncles to hang along side the only living survivor of the crash
John Mont.
This site has most of the story along with a fine painting an English
artist did of the B-17 My Day.
Click here.
Shot down on 3 Aug 1944 while on a mission
to Freidrickshaven in plane, 44-41017. Crashed in Hohe Munde near
Ehrwald. MACR 7537.
Crew list:
P: Theodore Poole
CP: Bernard Lowenthal
TTE: Conard Croston
RO: Weldon Squyres
GNR: Robert Salmon
GNR: Arthur Reents
GNR: Oscar Rogers
GNR: Albert Hill
KIA over Lorient in Dec 1942 on Boom Town,
41-24533
Boom Town was badly shot
up on the Lorient mission of 30 Dec 1942, but managed to make it back to
St Eval, Cornwall. Grover C. Bentinck, Jr. killed by flak and two
others wounded.
Shotdown
on 7 Jul 1944 while flying B-24 #44-40153. MACR 7232. POW in
Stalag 7A. From Houston, TX.
For more information on this crew, read the
chapter The Never Ending Search, in the book The Young Ones by Erik
Dyreborg.
Crew photo.
Front row L to R:
GNR: Sgt Vince J. Brdecka
RW/RO: T/S Glenn D. Woods
Crew chief: Sgt Red Dieso
TG: Sgt Sam Stammerra
BT: Sgt Bob Kohout
Back row L to R:
P: Bill Keeler
CP: Henry Meyer
B: Frank Benton
N: Sam Turner
Remaining crew:
P: 1LT Robert H. Jacks POW Stalag Luft 3
CP: 2LT Leland G. Hawkley POW Stalag 7A
N: 2LT Samuel L. Turner POW Stalag 7A
TT: S/S Talmadge H. Lawing POW Stalag Luft 4
RO: T/S Glen D. Woods POW Stalag Luft 4
BT: S/S Salvatore E. Stamerra KIA
LW: S/S Joseph B. Taylor POW Stalag Luft 4
RW: S/S Robert T. Kohout POW Stalaf Luft 4
TG: S/S Vince J. Bredecka KIA
Berman
Avy
I
CB
44-10
33
22
For
biography, photos, war time letters, etc. click
here. Nice site with lots of data.
Bernier
1LT
Maurice
R
KT
43-17
867
494
Berson
2LT
O-727970
Saul
W
RS
43-02
323
91
KIA while flying on plane
41-24523 named L'il Audrey on 31 Aug 1943. MACR 563.
Crew list:
P: 1LT Richard C. Rodman, O-735456 MIA
CP: FO Stanley L. Czerwinski, T-060284 MIA
N: 2LT Regis W. Te Maat, O-801523 KIA
TT: T/S Leo E. Kane, O-32451139, MIA
RO: S/S Lyle W. Young, 39393908 KIA
BT: S/S John W. Braisted, 12164530 MIA
WG: S/S Joseph A. Trotz 33250070 MIA
WG: S/S Emanuel S. Vaccaro, 32435557 MIA
TG: James P. Murren, Jr., 12136603 MIA
From the MACR:
A/C 816 an 523 collided in midair just off Beachy Head at 1702 hours, 25,000
feet at about 50 degrees 40 N, 00 degrees 30 E. The collision caused A/C
816 to split in two just at the tail wheel. Tail section of the A/C
plummeted down, while front section of A/C went down in a tight spin, crashing
into the water. A/C 523 and ? unidentified chutes were also seen
immediately following collision.
Berger
2LT
Jack
A
VV
44-06
865
494
Served in Okinawa- finished tour of duty
in 1945. Witnessed the signing of the Peace Treaty with Japan from
a hilltop.
Became a POW on 17 May 1943 Mission Target Ijmuiden
Crew list: 41-17982 DR-P
P: LT COL Robert W Stillman 0-19760 POW
CP: LT Ellis J Resweber 0-791727 KIA
N/B: 2LT William R Betz O-790934 POW
ENG: S/S Morgan S Freeman 14058852 POW
RO: T/S Clyde D Willis 14071397 POW
TG: S/S Edward K Hagetter 19011978 KIA
As the
first flight flew over the sand dunes a hail of 20mm flak hit the lead
B26 piloted by Lt. Col. Robert W Stillman, killing LT Resweber, the
copilot. The plane snap rolled and crashed at 11:51. Three severely
injured crewmen were dragged from the wreckage by the Germans.
Became a POW on 20 Feb 1944. Luft Stalag 3 & 7A.
Plane 42-29656 was known as Skunkface or Terrible Ten. According
to the history of JG26 by Caldwell, the aircraft crashed east of Mons,
near the town of Ressaix, FRA. Claim for the loss tallies with
that of LT F. Lange 6.JG26. MACR 2460.
Crew list:
P: 1LT Ernest B. Kidd O-746370 POW
CP: 2LT Ben G. Beauvclair
N: 2LT Billy H. Huish O-750196 KIA
B: 2LT Charles M. Betzel POW
TT: Sgt Ober L. Tarnik
RO: T/S Theodore Mazor
BT:Sgt Rex Wertman KIA
LW: Sgt Billie Ramsey
RW: Sgt Ernest Sema
TG: Sgt Francis Hentges
Bever
1LT
Everett
D
BZ 43-08
528
380
Stationed at Fenton and Darwin Australia. He
went on 37 missions. He received the DFC, and Air Medal with 4 oak leaf
clusters. Photo.
Crew which flew on the Heavenly Body,
B-24 during 1944.
Crew list:
P:1LT John S. DiDomenico
CP: 1LT Paul W. Norris
N: 1LT John H. Reid
E: T/S Robert G. Gjerstad
RO: T/S John H. Miller
GNR: S/S James L. Edwards
GNR: S/S Ellie V. Hester
GNR: S/S Thomas E. Murray
GNR: S/S Albert S. McKinney, Jr.
This crew along with 4 other planes received the DFC on the B-24,
Heavenly Body for a mission on April 23, 1944, which was the biggest
air battle of the 380th Bomb Group. This formation was attacked by twenty
Japanese fighter planes and shot down 11 of them. All five bombers
returned safely to their airfield with only one man getting KIA.
Became a POW on 29 July 1943 when on a mission to Kiel,
GER. Plane was B17F, 42-5766. MACR: 120
Was a POW in Stalag Luft 3 Sagen-Silesia Bavaria. Later he was moved to
Nuremberg- Langwasser. He retired as a Colonel in 1966.
Crew list:
P: F/O Barryman H. Brown POW
CP: 2LT Evald W. Benson POW
N: Edgar P. Fargen (Fergen) POW
B: 2LT George J. Beyer POW
TTE: 2LT Charles A. Sheffield POW
RO: Sgt Joseph J. Thompson POW
BT: S/S Harry W. Lofgren KIA
WG: S/S Eric G. Newhouse KIA
WG: S/S Charles H. Clark POW
TG: S/S Charles M. Roberts POW
Missing on mission to Vunakanau on 5 Oct
1942. Plane was 41-9196.
Crew list:
P: 1LT Earl L. Hareman
CP: 1LT Dale E. Hansen
N: 2LT Wade H. Lowry
Enlisted men:
S/S Michael G. Adamow
Sgt Thomas H. Jack
Sgt Frank W. Plunkett
Cpl Frank J. Mehock
PFC Thomas W. Wilzbacker
KIA when his B24H was brought down by flak over Cognac on
31 Dec 1943.
Crew list (all KIA):
P: LT Max R. Jordan - Santa Ana CA
CP: LT Adolph T. Abraham - Cedar Rapids IO
N: LT Robert B. Stone - Pittsburg PA
B: LT John A. Bienapft - Minneapolis MN
T/S Jacob E. Edwards - Canton OH
T/S John J. Holesa - FT Collins CO
S/S Anthony J. Daidone - Newark NJ
S/S Roy E. Ball - S. OLive OH
S/S Walter S. Baron - Fairhaven MA
S/S Archie B. Indorf - Mossillon OH
Biggio
O-785431
William
S
KT
44-12
850
490
Died
30 Nov 1989 in Cedarcreek, TX of cancer. (CH 6/94)
Crew list:
P: 2LT Clyde E. Freeman, O-764121
CP: 2LT Glenn R. Canning, O-713700
N: 2LT Sheldon Goldstein, O-723349
RO: Cpl Donald B. Vanlier, 36168875
ENG: Cpl Frank J. Caporusso, 32914721
GNR: Cpl Alan D. Chesney, 13143900
GNR: Cpl James L Drake, 14175582
ENG: Cpl Peter J. Fleck, 19135641
GNR: Sgt Robert G. Martin, 1066794?
Bishop
O-773815
Robert
P
CB
44-05
Died
in spring of 1944 during a B-24 training crash. (CH 6/94)
Bjorman
O-706676
Richard
J
BZ
44-01
514
376
Died
8 Jan 1994 (CH 6/94)
Bjornholm
1LT
Robert
W
MI
43-05
307
According to the MACR 3738, the plane 42-73466 lost Mar
29, 1944, Etean Island, South Pacific was shot down after the bomb drop
and crashed into the sea. A few parachutes were seen, but were strafed
on their way down. The plane sank in 15,000 ft of ocean, only seconds
after what appeared to be a controlled landing. There were no sightings
of survivors.
According to Sam Britt's "The Long Rangers" the a/c
was damaged over target and caught fire. Four chutes were seen to open
but appeared on fire. One crewmen went out the top hatch and hit the
tail. This was supposed to be their last mission. The enlisted men
were normally part of Lt. Joe Binder's crew but returned ahead of him
from rest leave and were assigned to fly with Lt. Francis for the Truk
mission.
Crew list:
P: 1LT William E. Francis, Jr.
CP: 1LT Joseph J. Slater
N: 1LT John W. Geiger, Jr.
B: 1LT Robert W. Bjornholm
TTE: T/S Robert L. Taberski
RO: S/S William N. Landacre
BT: T/S Richard N. Krueger
WG: S/S Adrian T. McKinney
WG: S/S Robert E. Brink
TG: S/S Richard L. Haskins
Flew on about 35 missions in one year from
island of Shemya to Kuriles. Received the air medal with 2 oakleaf
clusters and the DFC.
Crew list:
P: William H. Reynolds
CP: Andy F. Hauck
N: Frank W. Long, Jr.
RDR: Carl M. Gowell
GNR: Leo J. Adamski
ENG: George R. Harkins
RO: John R. Hendershot
ENG: John A. Miller
WG: Joseph A. Morris
PHOTO: Glenn E. Murray
DFC:
For extraordinary achievement in aerial flights from 20 December 1944 to 5
February 1945. In the capacity of bombardier during sustained operational
flights against Japanese installations in the Kuriles. First Lieutenant
Blacklock displayed a high degree of professional skill and initiative.
These missions were accomplished in the face of aggressive fighter
interception and fire from enemy anti-aircraft batteries. The strikes were
flown in land based aircraft for long over-water distances and under
unfavorable weather conditions. The successful results achieved and the
outstanding airmanship, courage and devotion to duty displayed by this
officer are in keeping with the finest combat traditions of the Army Air
Forces.
It was signed by Major General John B. Brooks.
Source:
Glenn A. Blacklock
1205 Linnwood Drive, Albany, OR 97322-4445
greenwire@proaxis.com
Blades
O-757867
William
D
RS 43-15
From CA.
Blake
1LT
O-1298176
John
E
VV44-12
61
39
Plane 42-65364, named City of Roosevelt or
Skyscrapper. Crew P-30.
Crew list:
P: 2LT Norman W. Smith, O-742908
CP: 2LT Doane (nmi) Stewart, O-802799
N: 2LT Robert D. Metcalf, O-671471
TTE: T/S John F. Raines, 35472488
RO: T/S Bernard T. Martin, 39611836
BT: S/S Alfred C. Chalker, 32414945
WG: S/S Kenneth R. Fenn, 32406587
WG: S/S Louis (nmi) Bridda, 3911048
TG: Cpl William C. Heritage, 15383125
Source: travel orders from Redmond, OR to
Grand Island, NB dated 31 Aug 1943.
ENG: Lt Richard T Bateman-Decatur IL,
NAV: Raymond H Ottoson-Minneapolis MN, RDR NAV: Lt Alfred P Heuer-Crown
Point IN, BOM: Lt Jack E Blevins-Lawrence KS,
P: Lt Harold R Sargraves-Ohio,
AC: Lt Floyd A Bishop-Casper WY
Font row L to R:
TG: Sgt John J Tremontozzi-Hyde Park MA,
ELEC GNR: Sgt Arthur R Tyrell-Delhi NY,
RO: S/S William K Hargett Jr-Chicago IL, AMTS GNR: Sgt Charles L Hargett-Chicago
IL, CFC GNR: S/S Albert Kaplan-Newark NJ
P: 2LT Frank R. Petersen
CP: 2LT Edward J. Nolan
N: 2LT Frederick D. Armitage
B: 2LT Lawrence G. Blood
RO: S/S Kermit J. Xemos
GNR: Sgt. Edward J. Korthaze
GNR: Sgt. Edmund A. Kutylowski GNR: Sgt. Eugene J. Bilger
GNR: Sgt. Ralph L. Clough
Bloom
1LT
O-2043715
Irving
C
DM
42-17
514
376
Died
of a heart attack in Oct. 1957. (CH 6/94)
Bloome
2LT
Joseph
VV 44-06
867
494
Died 17 April 1994
Blount, Jr.
1LT
O-673765
Edward
B
BZ 43-04
529
380
Flew on Big Ass Bird.
Crew list:
AC: Capt.T Harvey T. Harrison, O-746101
P: 2LT Robert A. Weaver, O-806755
N: 1LT Kenneth A. Sauer, T-12084 & O-333333
FE: T/S Henry F. Evan, 32466763
RO: T/S Irving B. Schain, 6719795
RO: T/S Sam (nmi) Silverman
GNR: S/S Earl (nmi) Belch, 34257256
GNR: S/S William A. Burns, 13128130
GNR: T/S Charles A. Campana, 10697969
GNR: S/S Arthur R Peabody, 11037534
GNR: S/S Leo J. Woelfel, 12186522
Original crew:
P: David F. Thompson
CP: Carsten E. Anderson
N: Victor L. Bunderson,
B: George R. Boege
GNR: Pat J. Barbuto
GNR: Kenneth S. Barker
GNR: Floyd A. Byram
GNR: James R. Holland
GNR: Edwin F. Russell
GNR: Harold L. Stone
On the day (12 April 1944 - 25th mission for the Group) Boege was shot down
and captured, the mission was to Zagreb, Yugoslavia. They were shot down by
flak and were last seen 3 miles west of Sutina, Yugoslavia. The aircraft was
originally named RHODA, later renamed THE BAT with serial number 41-28740.
Crew: all POWs:
P: Ray W. Bergmann
CP: Keith Curfman
N: Kent G. Blackman
B: George R. Boege
GNR: Maurice R. Cameron
GNR: John R. Douglas
GNR: Charles A. Hirsch
GNR: Elmer T. Edmonds
GNR: Marvin R. Gordon
GNR: Ronald R. Mackey
He took his bombardier training in South Carolina. He first went
overseas in August of 1942 as a staff sergeant with a B-25 squadron and
was later assigned to the Jolly Rogers. Has two presidential
citations. As well as a letter from George C. Kenney dated August,
1944.
Commissioned on the battlefield, he was
made flight officer in June of 1943. His final rank was First
Lieutenant. Among other missions, he saw combat in the battles of
Hollandia, Bismarck Sea and Mindanao. He spent a total of 27 months in
the South Pacific.
Known to be flying on the plane, Weary
Willie, on the mission to Debreczen, HUN on 2 June 1944. This
was part of "Operation Frantic".
Crew list:
P: William Hunnewell
CP: Dexter E. Barlow
N: Roy Kyte
TTE: Clifford P. Foulke
RO: Bill Murnane
BT: Dwight Hillard
WG: William Breuning
WG: Gordon Beeze
TG: Jake Szabo
Became a POW when 42-39878 crashed on 28 May 1944.
MACR 5336.
Crew list:
P: 2LT Julius F. Herrick POW
CP: 2LT Lloyd H. Saunders Jr POW
N: 2LT Leon W. Lobdell POW
B: 2LT Herbert Borax POW
TT: T/S Charlie Gillespie POW
RO: S/S William S. Schwartz POW
BT: Sgt Orval R. Busby POW
LW: Sgt Daniel E. Dunbar EVD
RW: Sgt Benjamin R. Norriss EVD
TG: S/S John C. Napier POW
He was assigned to bombardier school after he was
instrumental in the sinking of a German submarine on May 1,1942 (the
Bombardier was left behind when he slipped out of the plane to
retrieve a briefcase). Gregory was a pre-war Tech Sgt. (crew
chief) and on this mission was flying anti-sub control on a B-18B
out of Langley Field, VA. He was the first cadet to win the Air
Medal before receiving his wings. Unfortunately, this success
contributed to his death later.
He was assigned to the 93rd BG (The Flying Circus), in
England. His B-24, SHOOT LUKE, was shot down by four German fighters
on a diversionary mission on October 18, 1943 after the plane fell
out of the formation along the coast of Holland (Friesian Islands)
with no survivors. A B-24 from the 44th Bomb Squadron flying
nearby witnessed this, as they too were attacked thereafter.
Ironically, the B-17 Group that the 328th BG was flying the
diversion for (on Oct18) was recalled because of heavy cloud cover
and unfortunately, the 328th was not.
Shot down on 12 Aug 1943, while flying B-17F, # 42-5820 and
crashed at Gelsenkirchen, GER.
Experienced engine trouble en route. At the target the # 1 engine was
set on fire by fighters but plane continued and bombed target. Most of
the crew bailed out when the controls and another engine were lost after
fighter attack. The 3 KIA were buried on the crash site about 2 miles
west of Ahrweiler and later received a group burial.
Crew list:
P: 2LT Kurt W Freund
CP: 2LT Dale T Emens
N: 2LT Donald P Macrae
B: 2LT Glen H Bozarth
E: T/S James L Ragland
RO: T/S Francis J Schaedler KIA
BT: S/S Cyrus M Wallace KIA
LW: S/S Daniel J Angarano
RW: S/S Allan G Jamison
TG: S/S Charles E Roberts
Bracken
William
A
DE 43-13
366
305
Mission on 29 March 1944 was to Brunswick Germany. For the
305th this was their 126 mission. Allegedly this A/C crashed at Laufwedel,
GER.
Crew list: all KIA except for Helmer
P: William D. Wayenburg
CP: Edward S. Church
N: Thomas N Stanford
B: William A. Bracken
TTE: Gerald H Cannon
RO Arthur P Carroll
BT: William H Minton
RW: Terrell H Tucker
LW: Jerome J Helmer
TG: John Sheppard
Of the original 70 crews that flew to Seething starting on 11
NOV 1943:
Crew #17, #42-52145 (B-24H):
P: 1LT Robert K. Winn 0-724661
CP: 2LT James H. Harmon 0-811199
N: 2LT David T. Tobin 0-690738
B: 2LT Richard J. Brady 0-688504
ENG: S/S Charlie D. Lugosh 18201733
RO: Sgt Kenneth L. Dyer 35568310
GNR: Sgt Edwin H. Pixley 17107052
GNR: Sgt Billy J. Espich 15354024
GNR: Sgt Robert R. Cook 15230812
GNR: Sgt Jack W. Porter 36181194
Plane 44-70079, named City of Redfield
or Forever Amber. Crew P-51. Died 27 Jul 1997.
Source: www.39th.org
Bray
F/O
T-3256
George
W
KT 44-05
743
455
A/c #42-78605 was reported missing in Italy on 13 Oct 1944.
The target was the Blechammer South Refinery. The aircraft took a
direct flak hit and broke in two just after the bomb run.
The B-24J of Lts Meyer and Fajans, FO Bray, and Sgt
Bartholow crashed in the Klein-Althammer forest near Blechhammer (today
Kedzierzyn), on October 13, 1944. U.S. records indicate that the plane
sustained a direct hit to the forward section, causing the plane
to break into two sections at the waist window. According to German
shoot down records, the remains of these four crewmembers were buried in
the forest near the crash site. The American Graves Registration Service
(AGRS) recovered three other members of this crew from the nearby area.
Arnold was born and raised in Uniontown,
Pennsylvania. He was the first Jewish man from Uniontown who was killed
during the war, and in his honor the local B'nai B'rith Lodge for many
years carried the name 'Arnold Bree Lodge'.
Arnold was flying with an entirely new (to him) crew, following his
return to combat duty, which was interrupted by some sort of
jaundice-related illness that required his hospitalization. For perhaps
obvious reasons, Arnold could not return to his original crew. Arnold's
plane plane crashed on the 30th of January 1945, due to a non-combat
related cause.
Crew list:
P: Russell F. Johnson
CP: Davis J. Coll
N: James MacHarris
B: Joseph R. Brennick
ENG: William I. Imlach
RO: John F. Sickley
GNR: Harold F. Higgins
GNR: G. B. Evans
GNR: Walter Handy
GNR: Homer J. Smith
Became a POW on 24 Feb 1944 when his B24 42-109828 was shot
down on a mission to Gotha, GER mission and crashed near Brotterode, GER.
Photo.
Crew list:
P: 1LT Donald R Nowak POW
CP: 2LT Glenn G Gray POW
N: 2LT Thomas O Williams POW
E/TT: T/S Anthony L Lombardi POW
RO: T/S Onofrio F Spadafora KIA
BT: S/S Matthew F Treat KIA
RW: S/S Bernard Walker KIA
LW: S/S William A Kantlehner KIA
TG: S/S Howard D Keener KIA
NT: S/S Chester L Williams POW
B-24J-90-CO, #42-100287, nicknamed MARGARET and/or
BUSTED FLUSH
09 MAY 1944 mission to Marshalling yards; Liege, BEL. Flying
deputy lead for the 28 a/c formation, flak shoots down #287 the only
loss on this mission. The wreckage fell on the town of Riksingen near
Tongeren, 22 kilometers northeast of Liege. MACR 4775.
Crew list:
P: Capt Robert T. Lambertson POW
CP: Maj Ronald V. Kramer POW
N: LT Robert D. Lerow POW
B: LT Ralph E. Brown POW
NT: S/S Roy K. Littlejohn POW
TT: T/S Perry L. Davenport POW
RO: T/S William Sidoruk POW
LW: S/S Edwad D. Roser POW
RW: S/S Andrew P. Long KIA
TG: S/S Walter D. Pitts POW
Brown, Jr.
Lester
P
VV 43-12
371
307
Crew was lost over Yap Island on
5 July 1944 in a/c 44-40611. Brown was from Pittsfield, MA
(Brownie).
Photos possibly taken when the crew
was
stationed at New Caledonia 1/44 to 5/44. Or at Mokerang Airdrome till
they were shot down 7/5/44.
The story about Earle W. Painter, a B-24 Ball Turret Gunner.
From the book, The Young Ones by Erik Dyreborg. The
Final Flight Of The Rum Dum
Crew list:
P: Edward J Rice, Des Moines, IA (Eddie)
CP: Kenneth D. Smith, Albequerque, NM (Smitty)
N: Marcel J. Bilder, Winona, MN (Max)
TT: S/S Benny T. Tampio, Ironwood, MI
BT: Sgt. Sol Stein, Brooklyn, NY (Sy)
RO: S/S Thomas B. Silko, Monongahela, PA (Buck)
WG: S/S Earle Painter, Staunton, VA
WG: Sgt. Donald E. Reed, Buchannon, WV
TG: Sgt. Sam M. Manfredi, Chicago, IL
He was shipped to England aboard the Mauritania and may have
been at Rackheath in late 1944 and early 1945. He flew about 14 to
17 missions.
He flew back to the US and the flight back was pretty hairy as they were
caught in a storm over the North Atlantic and just barely made it to
Gander with dry fuel tanks.
Known to fly on 2 planes: 44-69773 (City
of Pittsfield or Two Passes and a Crap) and 44-69756.
Source: www.39th.org
Buck
2LT
Frank
J
KT 42-05
327
92
KIA on 6 Sep 1943 when shot down four miles north west of Le Treport, FRA.
It was the first mission of the 92nd. The plane was B-17E, 41-9026
called Baby Doll.
Crew list:
P: 2LT Leigh E. Stewart
CP: 2LT Robert I. Benedict
N: 2LT Samuel J. Russell
ENG: Sgt Elmer P. Vollrath
RO: Sgt Cecil R. Kendrick
BT: PFC William J. Angliss
WG: Sgt D K Smith
TG: Sgt Lemoyne C. Early
KIA on 26 Nov 1944 while on a bombing mission to Misburg.
Plane was called Blue Circle, serial # 44-40108 was shot down by
German fighters. Pilot was 2LT Matthew Vukovich, Jr. MACR
11155. All 9 crewmembers were KIA.
P: Wesley C. Huckins
CP: George W. Freas
N: John R Mink
B: Thomas Brent Burrell
Alan L. Reid
Richard H. Krecker
Kenneth P. Downie
Earl W. Merritt
Daniel F. Carroll
Robert L. Davis
Became a POW on 12 Arpil 1944. B-24 # 42-7601
Sin Ship MACR: 3829
Crew list:
P: LT Joseph (NMI) Pavelka EVD
CP: 2LT Albert P. Gilsdorf Jr POW
N: 2Lt Philip (NMI) Solomon EVD
B: 2Lt William T. Burtt POW
TT: T/S Chester B. Hincewicz EVD
RO: T/S Richard F. Hanson POW
BT: S/S Robert T. Hanson POW
LW: S/S Michael R. Ciano POW
RW: S/Sgt Wade R. Luce POW
TG: S/Sgt Peter M. Clark EVD
Crew list:
P: 2LT Walter J. Felker O-825134
CP: 2LT Philip R. Howard O-822443
N: 2LT Melvin B. Davidson O-2056557
B: 2LT Charles F. Busacker O-703443
GNR: Cpl Paul E. Buss 16122339
GNR: Cpl Eugene R. Coombe 35628012
GNR: Cpl Willis R. Doflbaugh 38426472
GNR: Cpl Anthony E. Habiger 37724219
ENG: Cpl Whilmer Shinn III 32757487
RO: Cpl Roy M. Thompson 31342709
Buscombe, Jr.
William
T
CL
43-13
He may have been dual-rated bombardier
and nav, possibly instructor at some point.
He was at Ellington, but probably after the war, and perhaps only tdy.
He was in Japan after the war, but not sure when or where. He flew in
B-47s, including from England. He retired as major in 1963 from
Plattsburg as maintenance sq cmdr.
Crew:
P: Gaylord Nelson
CP: Claude L. Buriss
N: F. A. Flowers
RO: Harold E. Bell
ENG: R. J. Hardt
TT: J. A. Hewett
BT: E. B. Vickery
TG: M. A. Awalt
WG: John R. Patterson
Butler,
Jr.
Fred
W
DE
43-09
326
92
B - 17 # 42-30623 crashed near Saarbrucken , GER on 25
Feb 1944 MACR # 2754
Crew list:
P: LT Charles G. Nashold - KIA Jamestown, MD.
CP: LT James L. Liles - Evaded Dallas, Texas
N: LT George B. Fahlstrom - POW Minneapolis, Minn.
B: LT Fred W. Butler Jr. - POW Saugus, Maine
TTE: Sgt. William J. Richardson Jr. - POW Charleston , WV.
RO Sgt. William E. Schuff - POW Utica, NY
BT: Pvt. Earl E. Kellar - KIA
LW: Sgt. Leo J. Conners - POW Ashley , Pa.
RW: Sgt. Paul V. Zeman - POW Charlotte, NC
TG: Pvt. Tom E. Rodman - POW Phoenix , Az.
KIA
on 2 Apr 1944 when his plane was involved in a 3-plane midair
collision. The plane was the Peerless Clipper. Entire
crew was KIA.
Crew list:
P: Jacob F. Kury
CP: John F. Phillips
N: James B. Caldwell
NG: Donald R. Adams
TT: Leo J. Gibbs
BT: Gordon F. Moore
RW: James C. Piland
LW: Herbert H. Batterton
TG: Ernest Woods
Photo: Gerard J. Plourde
Butler
2LT
O-772901
Robert
D
VV
44-05
714
448
All
data is from a site by Sue Veldkamp,
Jack's Niece: www.HeroInFlight.com
on her uncle John Buxton. Site contains photos and all the letters
written by Buxton from training through combat. An excellent
insight to the day to day life.
Butler's plane was brought down by flak
over Magdeburg, Germany on 16 August 1944.
From a letter
by pilot John Buxton describing each of his crew members: "Lieutenant
Robert Butler - he's my bombardier -
from Indianapolis, Indiana, married for 8 weeks, 23 years old and has
red hair. Bob and I work together swell - he has the best score of any
bombardier on the field."
The crew was listed as a "replacement crew," which arrived at
Seething Field on August 8, 1944.
Crew
photo.
P:
2 LT John M. Buxton 0703311
CP: 2 LT Howard D. Hinckley 0771716
N: 2 LT Earl T. Brown 0722813
RO: Cpl Leo E. Stephens 37558474 (only survivor)
LW: Cpl Louis D. Babini 31420626
RW: Cpl John L. Burkhead 36770874
BT: Cpl Alex Kocheran 33414605
TG: Cpl Donald M. McCoy 35763351
TT: Cpl James R. Robinson 35756585
Leo Stephens post-war report:
The B-24 (Serial Number 42-50459) was hit in the bomb bay doors after
bombs away (15 miles after hitting target and at 23,000 feet), knocking
the doors off. Jack gave the order to jump, and R.O. Leo Stephens jumped
and stated that, "the pilots were right behind him," but he
thought that maybe they had stayed behind to assist the other crew. Cpl.
Stephens was captured by the Germans and held in a POW camp until after
the war.
The crew was buried in Germany and their remains were not discovered
until 5 years after the war ended. They were disinterred, brought to the
United States, and are buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in
St. Louis, Missouri.
Source: Sue Veldkamp,Jack's Niece sue@matschca.com
Butler
William (Tex)
C
VV 42-10
91
Plane Eagle's Wrath, flew in 20-21
missions. Pilot was Charles "Shorty" Giaoque (sp.) (pronounced
GEE-OAK),
Plane 42-73245 (Maxwell House II) was
lost on 27 Nov 1943 while on a mission to Rangoon, Burma. After
bombing the target the plane was last seen with one engine on fire.
Butterfield became a POW. MACR R-87.
Photo. J. Rich is 3rd from
left bottom row.
Crew list:
P: Richard Meredith - KIA
CP:Edward Ryan - POW
N: Joseph Rich - POW
Thomas Smeal
Ewell Temples - KIA
Joseph McClung - POW
Fred Hart - KIA
Charles Pero
John Cook - KIA
Meredith, Temples, Hart and Cook were
strafed while parachuting.
Meredith
the pilot stayed with the plane, it is presumed the others bailed and were
taken POW by the Japanese. Joseph Rich died in POW camp on 9/13/44.
In May 1946 his remains were placed aboard a C-47 43-48308 and the plane
was never heard from again. It went missing somewhere between
Rangoon, Burma and Calcutta India where the remains were to be buried.
>
