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Last First MI Class  BS BG Data
Raasch
2LT
O-715095		 Harold A SA 44-04 722 450 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 03 July 1944.  MACR: 6764.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Racanelli
2LT		 Victor L CL 44-07 866 494 Died Dec 1987.
Rachel
2LT
O-717110		 Theodore E BZ 44-04 564? 389 Dual-rated as Navigator/Bombardier.

KIA on 5 Sep 1944 on mission to the Karlsruhe Marshalling Yards.  Possibly on plane 42-50511 piloted by Frazes.  Of the crew 6 POW, 4 KIA and 2 EVD.  This was a lead crew with 2 Navs/bombardiers. MACR 8599.

He was buried in a temporary burial site at Saint Avold Cemetery, Metz, France  He was then moved to his permanent burial site at Camp Butler National Cemetery at the request of his next of kin.

Article mentioning Rachel.

Source: John Deeman: john.deeman@hewitt.com

Radakovitz
O-757916		 Herman A RS 43-15     From VA.
Radel Henry D SA 44-06 447 321
Rader George B SA 43-09 419 301
Flew on plane May-B Bay-B, 42-5870. 

Crew list:
P: Donald A. Solomon
CP: Harold E. Spangler
N: Edward V. Fry
TTE: Joseph P. Maiers
RO: John Donart
GNR: Gustave Krieger
GNR: Willliam T. Garlies
GNR: James W. Lyons
GNR: Dominio L. Costango

Check out this interesting story about Rader, The Silver Bracelet, photo at:

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/9544/bracelet.htm
Ragan
1LT
O-695375		 Robert F MI 43-15 738 454 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 17 Aug 1944.  MACR: 7456.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Ragsdale
O-776912  		Herbert L KT 44-06 708 447 Was a member of the Gerald C. Stanley crew.  Received advanced single engine training at Williams Field, AZ on 25 March 1947.  Also served in Korea.

Class photo - front row, second from right.

Source: Kirby Ragsdale: Kdrags3@wmconnect.com

Rahne
2LT		 Frank F DE 43-18 339 96 On 31 May 1944, plane 42-107104 a B-17G was shot down by flak between the target and rally point.  Crashed at Winnen, Westerburg, GER.  MACR# 5342.

From the book, "Snetterton Falcons",
page 145...
There were no E/A, but heavy flak caused the 30th MIA-loss for May. Lt Matt Ciembronowicz' 339th 42-107104 had already lost two engines and was calling for fighter escort home. But it was too late.  According to gunners John
Hill and George Belleville, the plane crash-landed at Winnen/Westberg.  Fortunately, all survived as POW's.  Evidently, some of the crew (at least one) bailed out according to a captured German document filed by local
police of St. Goarshausen near Wiesbaden.
page 150...
The crew is listed as being assigned to the 96th BG as CREW GG 20
 

Normally I don't post MACR's but this one has translated German documents.

Page 6   Page 7    Page 8   Page 11


Crew list:
P: 2LT Mathew H. Ciembronowicz (uncle of webmaster's high school/college friend)
CP: 2LT Scott Limbach
N: 2LT Mahlon F. O'Brien  
RO: T/S Walter J. Fleming
TT: T/S Harold J. Hill  
BT: S/S Benjamin C. Aishe  
WG:S/S Samuel R. Kennedy  
WG: S/S Ernest B. Stephenson  
TG:  S/S George A. Belleville 
Ralph, Jr.
Sgt		 Frank J EM BMBR 11 341 Was involved in Project 157.

Source: Tony Strotman: tonystro@cebridge.net

Randles
O-2063196		 Roger C CL 44-09 600 398

KIA on 26 Nov 1944 a/c 44-6626.            
Target: Hamm, GER marshalling yard

Source: John Meurs: meurs.john@bluewin.ch

Rankin William H MI 43-02     From NJ.
Bombardier instructor at Carlsbad, NM in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Carlsbad Yearbook
Raper
O-757917		 Marion E RS 43-15 548 385 From MO.
Rapp Harold W DE 43-09   390 Shot down on 2 Aug 1944 in plane # 42-97160 Southern Comfort.    MACR 8067

Crew list:
P: Douglas K. Seaborn    POW 
CP: Dana E. Parsells   POW 
N: Elmer C. Hanselman   POW 
B: Harry W. Rapp   POW 
TTE: Alfred W. Vance   POW  
RO: Frederick B. Roberts    EVA 
WG: Charles Daum    POW 
BT: Vincent W. Marino    POW 
TG: Philip E. Homan   POW 

Source: http://www.armyairforces.com/forum/fb.asp?m=108033
 
Rarick
O-757919		 Harold L RS 43-15     From PA.
Rasmussen
2LT
O-752696		 Clyde R KT 43-12 452 729 KIA on 20 April 1944. Aircraft hit by flak and goes down in English Channel. MACR: 4179.

Missions and crew lists.

Plane: Photo 1.  Photo 2.   Photo 3.

Source: Howard Keller: howard.keller@us.army.mil

Rauzi
2LT
O-785507		 John A RS 44-12 60 39 Plane 42-94021.  Crew P-11.  Crashed on take-off from Kwajalein.

Source: www.39th.org
Ravaschier Rocco nmi CL 43-10 777 464 Shot down on 16 July 1944 while on a mission to Weiner Neudorf, AUS. Plane was 42-95372 named Middle Digit or Old Iron Ass.

Crew list:
P: Ruel H. Miller    KIA
CP: Charles E. Shafer    Returned to duty
N: George P. Collins, Jr.   Evaded
B: Rocco Ravaschier   Returned to duty
TTE: William H. Chucta     KIA
RO: John H. Duelberg    MIS
GNR: Don A. Clotiaux    Returned to duty
GNR: Garland A. Cranston      Returned to duty
GNR: George C. Baird     KIA
GNR: Marting R. Styer, Jr.   Returned to duty
Ray, Jr.
2LT		 Emit O VV 44-08 864 494
Raynie
2LT
O-679654		 Harold T MI 43-07 567 398 Shot down on a raid to Gotha, GER on 24 Feb 1944.  Was on 1LT Belanger's crew.
Reagan
2LT
O-673894		 Daniel A SA 43-04 32 301 Became a POW on 25 Feb 1944 when his plane B-17G, 42-38076 was shot down.  Stayed at Stalag Luft 1.  MACR 2594.

Crew list:
P: 2LT Gerald R. Berner  O-745037  KIA
CP: 2LT Richard S. Macauley  O-687332  POW Stalag Luft 1
N: 2LT Lawrence Karmer  O-801021  POW  Stalag Luft 1
ENG: S/S Robert G. Miller  13027095  KIA
RO: T/S Aubrey C. Simon 34392716  KIA
BT: S/S Aubrey N. Burt  34339783  KIA
WG:  Palmieri  KIA
WG: Sgt Jerry Goldman  12158767  KIA
TG: Walker  KIA
 
Rebeta
O-670245		 James G SA 43-01 874 489 From OH
Bombardier instructor at Carlsbad, NM in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Carlsbad Yearbook
Rector James R RS 43-12 599 397
Redington
2LT
O-695531		 Malachi J MI 43-15 831 485 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 23 June 1944.  MACR: 15306.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Redline
 John G SA 43-08 416 99 Serial # O-681804, flew from 18 May 44 to 13 Oct 44 (34 missions).  
Reed
2LT 		Elmer R CB 44-10 865 494 Died 20 Oct 1993.
Reed John F VV 42-10   94 Photo from Salinas, KS

Source: RltBen@aol.com 
Reekstin
1LT
 		Theodore W CL 43-13 402 502 KIA on 25 Jul 1945 when B-29 42-63678 named Maujuwa was hit by flak and crashed in Shiraishi, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Crew list, all KIA:
CAPT Henry G. Dillingham
2LT James D. McGlynn
1LT Willis S. Orner
1LT Edward R. Morrow, Jr.
S/S Charles J. Bordino
S/S Harvey J. Dempsey
S/S John P. Cary
Sgt Joseph T. H. Leblanc
Sgt John F. Greene
Rees
2LT		 James K MI 44-05 729
730		 429  
Rees
2LT
O-679281		 William D BZ 43-07 36 492 The 36th BS was a Carpetbagger Squadron.

He is listed as a POW (deceased) within the Nat'l Archives POW database as of March 3, 1944.

He is listed in a book called "Air Commandos: The Saga of the Carpetbaggers of World War II", which describes how he died after a crash-landing of his crew's shot-up B-24 in France.

"Part of the metal of the airplane had to be cut away before he (Rees) was finally pulled out..... Rees was transferred to the hospital at Amiens, where both legs were amputated on March 5. Unfortunately, he was not able to take the shock and died the same day."
 
Reese C A VV 42-15 422 305 Modane, FRA - 16 Sept 1943
Plane 41-24615 - Target for Tonite

Crew list:
P:  Capt H T Walker
CP:  Capt E J Aber
N:  1st Lt J. C Rodgers
B:  1st Lt C. A. Reese
RO:  T/Sgt J H Delaney
TT:  T/Sgt C H Brendemoan
BT: S/Sgt J G Stewart
TG: S/Sgt T R. Herren
WG  S/Sgt M Cohen
WG:  S/Sgt R W Sunden.
OB:  Capt S H Haigler
Reeves
O-757920		 Robert C RS 43-15     From NJ.
Register Wade A BZ 43-06 775 763 On June 6, 1944, the squadron was sent on a mission to Belgrade, Yugo. The following from Allyns Irish Orphans ---- 775th Bomb Sqdn, 463rd Bomb Group, section June 1944: "Lt Dwight V. Hanson, pilot of 297657, again had a hazardous experience in returning his plane which was pierced by flak in more than 300 places when an AA shell exploded just off the right waist. All except one control cable in the waist were cut. By using the trailing antenna cable, the engineer, TSgt John C. Homrighaus and his asst, SSgt Donald R. Stowe spliced the cables making control of the plane possible. For their achievement, they were awarded the DFC. The bombardier, Lt Wade A. Register, although seriously wounded in the neck and leg succeeded in accurate release of his bombs, his gallantry winning him the Silver Star. The radar operator, Lt Roger D. Skinner and the radio operator, SSgt Donald O. Pratt were also wounded. All continued to perform their duties during the flight and returned safely to base."

In July 1944, Lt Register was sent to the US for rest and recuperation. He returned to duty in Nov 1944. At the time of his injuries he was on his 39th mission.

Awards for the crew: Lt Dwight V. Hanson Silver Star and DFC.
Lt Wade A. Register Silver Star and Purple Heart
Lt Roger D. Skinner DFC and Purple Heart
TSgt John C. Homrighaus DFC
SSgt Donald R. Stowe DFC and Purple Heart
SSgt Donald O. Pratt Purple Heart

Photos:

Source: Wade Register wader@mdcu.org
Rehrig Earl E DE 43-18 445 321 Was stationed in Corsica from May until 9 Nov 1944.   He flew 57 missions, most of them with Jim Jeffrey.  On his 3rd mission they were hit with an 88 over Florence and had the right rudder and stabilizer shot off. The pilot's name was Richardson.   Managed to get back to base and had to bail out.  The date was 26 May 1944 and the plane fell in the town of Solenzara.

Photos.

Source: Earl Rehrig ejrehrig@AOL.com

Reich
O-731104		 William J KT 42-13 448 321 Complete data.
Reichard
2LT		 Howard G RS 43-05 488 340 February 16, 1944                                    
B-25C-5 42-53366, Ship 8H the lead ship of the box, was hit over the target, troop concentrations near Campoleone, Italy during the Anzio invasion.  Some chutes were seen after a direct hit, and a engine was seen on fire.  The ship crashed with a full load of bombs and exploded on impact. MACR 2825 

The entire crew was unaccounted for and listed as MIA:
 
P: 1LT Robert E. DEAN           KIA
CP: MAJ George C. GARSKE     POW
B: 2LT Howard G. REICHARD                          
GNR: T/S Albert H. MITCHEL                             
GNR: S/S Nicholas ALBANESE                          
TG: S/S Austin E. DUNAWAY                        
 
MAJ. Garske was the Group Operations officer.  S/S M. E. Hawley, the navigator, parachuted to safety, was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW.  LT DEAN was buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery at Nettuno, Italy [plot I, row 5, grave 30].

Source: http://www.armyairforces.com/forum/fb.asp?m=108018
 
Reid
2LT
O-660398		 James H MI 42-07 343 98
Reid, Jr. William H WM 42-16   94 Photo from Salinas, KS

Source: RltBen@aol.com 
Reinecke William A VV 42-14 336 95 B-17 42-30283, named Mason's Morons, went down on 17 Aug 1943 near Frankfurt, GER while on a mission to Regensburg, GER.  The #2 engine was feathered when it left the formation under control.  It is believed to have crashed at Darmstadt, GER.  The entire crew became POW's.  MACR 403.

Crew list:
P: Robert C. Mason, Jr.
CP: Louis Belson
N: Frank E. Messersmith, Jr.
TT: Richard R. Carter
RO: William A. Rogers
BT: Herschel K. Beane
LW: Raymond J. Elias
RW: Jack H. Mckee
TG: Robert L. Bickford

Source: Book, The 95th B-17 Bomb Group, by Allen E. Snyder
Reinen Joseph A CB 44-07 414 97 Source: Walter Nullet: WJND4EVER@aol.com
Rever
F/O
T-8840		 Stanley A CB 44-42 380 531 Crew list:
P: 1LT John G. Koller   O-2062223
CP:2LT George A. Brown   T-3875, O-2007339
N: F/O Richard C. Franklin  T-137329
B: F/O Stanley A. Rever  T-8840
FE: T/S Samuel (NMI) Leiner   32885467
RO: T/S Joseph T. Peterson, Jr.  17081753
GNR: S/S Vernon E. Carlson   39828066
GNR: S/S Horace P. Eisenhard  33484391
GNR: Sgt Carl E. Felts   36775359
GNR: S/S Carl J. Matthew  16188022

Source: Shannon Mann [shannon.mann@sbcglobal.net]

Reynolds W J VV 42-17 415 98 Source: Arthur Plouff - A.plouff@worldnet.att.net
Riano Blaine H VV 44-12 446 707 He was both a bombadier and Mickey Navigator (a bombadier trained to use H2X radar to bomb through undercast, etc).

He flew in B-24's out of Bungay, England from Nov 44 to Apr 45. He also flew in B-17's on some missions, for some strange reason. Also, attached is his flight crew photo from the 446th BG where he was a radar bombardier ("Mickey Navigator).

I think he flew about 30 combat missions. He ended up being a radar navigator (cold war equivalent of a bombardier) in B-52's in the 60's, then flew EC-47's in Vietnam in early 70's, then retired.

Student record.     Crew photo.

Source: David Riano: david.riano@us.army.mil

Rice Robert A VV 42-17   305 Source: Dukle Sumonia DUKEAIR@aol.com
Rich
2LT
O-739054		 Joseph C RS 43-03 373 308 KIA 13 Sept 1944
Richardson
2LT
O-676494		 Earl M MI 43-05 856 492 KIA 2 June 1944
Bombardier instructor at Childress, TX in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Childress Yearbook
 
Richardson
O-757921		 Eugene H RS 43-15  71 447 From IA.

Crew list:
P: Kenneth C Schreiner
CP: Carroll F Knutson
N: Clifford H Kulenburg
B: Eugene H Richardson
Herbert B Ruggles
George A Wolters
John E Hall
James R Jones
Jacob O Long Jr.
Leon M Swift
 
Rickner
2LT
O-666080		 Roy R MI 42-14     Bombardier instructor at Childress, TX in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Childress Yearbook
Riley
LT. Col		 Frederick H MI 43-11   456 After washing out as a pilot cadet, he attended bombardier school.  Fred excelled at this school by setting a school record for the smallest circular average at all altitudes.  He represented the Midland school at the Bombing Olympics held at Kirtland, NM.

After his tour in Italy, he returned to Big Springs,TX as a bombardier instructor.  When Big Springs closed he went to Midland, TX to teach Chinese cadets.  For more information and crew photo, go to: http://www.456thbombgroup.org/friley.html.

View photo.
Rippy Carl M SA 44-04      
Ririe
2LT		 David nmi VV 43-14 563 388 According to Project Bits and Pieces, 42-97241 failed to return due to German fighters on 11 April 1944.  The mission was to Poznan, POL with Rostock, GER as the secondary.  MACR 3776.

The a/c was flying # 3, lead element, lead squadron of the 45th Combat Wing's B group. Shot up and set on fire by FW 190s shortly after bombing Rostock, Germany.  Part of the crew bailed out over the Balitc Sea.  The rest survived a crash landing in Germany, very near the Baltic coast.

Crew list:
P: 2LT Edmund J. Ely  POW
CP: 2LT Frederick H. Pratt  POW
N: 2LT William L. Ellis  POW
B: 2LT David Ririe  POW
TT: S/S Leo K. Kornoely  KIA
RO: S/S John M. Russell  POW Stalag 17B
BT: Sgt Vincent J.Muffletto  POW
LW: Sgt Harvey L. Ringer  KIA
RW: Sgt Costantine Scourbys  KIA
TG: Sgt Thomas Neill  KIA
 
Rivers
CAPT		 John F CL 43-10 833 486 Completed 30 missions with the Berry crew.  The name of their plane was Superstitious Aloysius. Was lead bombardier and after tour stayed on as the Asst. Group Bombardier.  Then transferred to Peyote Air Base as a bombardier instructor.  

Photo. Photo 2.  Crew information. Crew photo. Officer's photo.

Source: Chris Lane (grandson): slduck@email.msn.com
Robbins
2LT		 Wilbur G SA 43-06     Bombardier instructor at Childress, TX in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Childress Yearbook
Roberts
2LT		 Alvin D   567 389

Became POW on 6 March 1944 when his B-24 named Roll Call, 42-100424 was shot down by AA over Genshaven, GER.  MACR: 3249

Crew list:
P: LT Kenneth C. Griesel,  POW 
CP: 2LT Kenneth E. Anderson, POW 
N:  2LT Phillip J. Gibbons, POW 
TT: T/S Alfred L. Brawner, POW 
RO: T/S Manuel A. August, POW 
BT: S/S Howard W. Brittan, POW
WG: S/S Richard E. Devoe, POW
WG: S/S Woodrow E. Wooten, POW 
TG: S/S Carl R. Hill, POW
 
Roberts
1LT
O0725084		 Doris G VV 42-07     Bombardier instructor.   Photo.

Source: 1943 Deming Yearbook
Roberts
2LT		 Edwin S RS 43-06 792 468 B-29 serial number 42-6408, "Reddy Teddy" was downed by flak on a raid to Yawata, Japan on 20 Aug 1944. It crashed in Saienba, Kokura City, Fukuoka Prefecture. MACR is 9687.

Roberts died of his wounds at Shimonseki Army Hospital on 21 Aug, 1944 after being mistreated with serious wounds.

Crew list:
AC: 1LT Ernest A. Pickett  POW
CP: 2LT William R. Rewitz  POW
N: 2LT Harrison Robins  Possible POW died in captivity
FE: F/O Mark S. Kennard  POW
R: 2LT Robert M. Humphrey  POW
RO: S/S Charles Kazarian  POW
CFC: S/S Robert C. Armstrong POW
RG: S/S Richard R. Bishop  POW
LG: S/S Samuel M. Henry  KIA
TG: S/S Samuel A. Nixon  KIA
Roberts Robert J RS 44-05 
DE 43-17		 416 99 MIA on 11/7/1944 on mission to Maribor on plane #44-6430. It was his 15th mission.  MACR 9666.

Crew list:
P: LT H. J. Grove
CP: LT W. J. Elliott
N: LT W. J. Costello
GNR: Sgt F. L. Phillips
GNR: Sgt R. C. Knicklebein
GNR: Sgt Joe Pyatak
RO: Sgt. O. T. Jones
GNR: Sgt J.C. Shaffer
GNR: Sgt J.D. Hopper

Source: Scott Roberts: scottr@creative-architect.com
Robertson
O-757922		 Avon V RS 43-15     From WA.
Robertson
2LT
O-746611		 Orville E VV 43-08 731 452 KIA on 8 March 1944.  The No. 3 engine was shot out as well as supercharger of the other engine. The aircraft left formation about 15 minutes from the target and jettisoned the bombs. Returned at an altitude of 100-200 feet, but before Nienburg/Weser, 4 German fighters attacked. 20mm shells penetrated teh cockpit and exploded, setting teh aircraft afire and killing the Bombardier, 2Lt Orville E. Robertson. When bomb bay was also in flames, the Pilot made a most daring crash landing at a speed of 200 mph on the left ban of the River Weser, 1 1/2 km NW from the center of Nienburg. 2Lt Orville E. Roberston was buried as an Unknown Airman in the village cemetery of Marklohe, NW of Nienburg. Reinterred in Ardennes.

Missions and crew lists.    MACR.

Source: Howard Keller: howard.keller@us.army.mil

Robinson
F/O
T-9276		 Harold G V 44-44 60 39 Plane 44-69894.  Crew P-20.

Source: www.39th.org
Robinson
2LT
O-703522		 Jimmy P BZ 43-18 743 455 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 11 June 1944.  MACR: 5771.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Robinson
2LT
O-712224		 Lewis M CL 44-03 84 47 Died 11 Nov 1944.
Robinson
1LT		 Victor M KT 43-07 866 494 Died 30 April 2000.
Robinson
2LT
O-724222		 William S KT 42-05 345 98
Roblee
2LT
 		 Theodore E Unknown 365 305

Shot down on 26 Nov 1944 and evaded capture.  A/C: 43-37955.   Target: Misburg, GER synthetic fuel plant.

Source: John Meurs: meurs.john@bluewin.ch

Rochez III
2LT		 L A VV 42-16 514 376
Rock
2LT		 Daniel L CB 44-05 95 Plane was Ticket Home.  Flew 34 missions between 11 Aug 1944 and 27 Nov 1944.

Source: Jane Kennedy: mizrock@rockartifacts.com
Rockett Maurice   DE 43-09     Went to phase training in B-17s. A request came around for bombardiers to volunteer as central fire control officers on B-29s. Then went to Lowry Filed, CO. Because of problems, he was transferred back to Pyote,TX, for phase training.

Class photo.

From: Maurice Rockett: mrockett@comcast.net

Rodemeyer Irvin L GE 42-17 550 385 KIA on 28 Jul 1943.  Plane 42-30257.  Mid air collision with 42-3316.  
Rodgen
2LT		 Eugene L WM 43-02 344 98 KIA 1 Aug 1943.

Source: Arthur Plouff - A.plouff@worldnet.att.net
Rodger
2LT
O-660402		 Fenton nmi SA 43-05 345 98
Rodheim
O-757851		 Seymour nmi RS 43-15     From CA.
Roettele, Jr. Edward L CB 44-04 725 458

Roettele was on 2LT Stanley A. Sievertson’s crew.   Went to a Rest Home on February 18, 1945 and he is listed on the Nat’l WWII Registry as completing 35 missions.

Source: Darin Scorza: darins@eskc.com

Roeull
2LT
O-708943		 Richard nmi CL 44-02 512 376 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 3 July 1944.  MACR: 6363.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Rogers Edward W KT 42-11   94  
Rogers
1LT
O-735928		 Ernest T VV 43-01 61 39 Plane 42-65366, named City of Virginia Beach.  Crew P-28. 
Rogers was lost while on the way home with another BG. At the time of his loss he was assigned to 869th BS/497th BG.  He entered the service from North Carolina.  Died: 5 October 1945

Before the war Rogers was a Tobacco Auctioneer.

Source: www.39th.org
Rogers
O-757923		 Laurence D RS 43-15     From CA.
Rogers
F/O		 Roy nmi RS 44-12 866 494
Rogers
O-757924		 Sterling H RS 43-15     From TX.
Rogowski
2LT		 Stanley nmi RS 43-14 730 452 Crew photo.

Crew Number 39B:
P: 2LT Vernon J. Rourke
CP: 2LT Clark E. Luther
N: 2LT Robert D. Clapp
B: 2LT Stanley Rogowski
TT: T/S James N. Jones
RO: S/S David Schenkerman
BT: S/S Ross L. Willhite
WG: S/S Leo Szymanski
TG: S/S Richard McElfish
Rohde
2LT		 Edmund W DE 44-07      
Rohlf Stanley D CB 44-46 877 499  
Rohlfing
2LT		 Robert W VV 44-11 866 494
Rokotz
2LT		 Peter J ENMBMB     At some point Rokotz was promoted to 2LT.

Source: Gillian Permuy: gillianp@earthlink.net

Roman
2LT		 George G VV 43-01 344 98 Source: Arthur Plouff - A.plouff@worldnet.att.net
Romano
2LT		 A A VV 43-01 565 389 Source: Arthur Plouff - A.plouff@worldnet.att.net
Rooney
FO
T-03784		 William F VV 44-07 509 351 The plane, 42-31192 crashed in Farabol, Blekinge, Sweden 7 October 1944 after being hit by flak after bombing Politz.

Crew Photo.  Rooney is in second row, far to the right, in the white suit.

F/O Rooney was stationed at Polebrook airfield, 351BG, 509th BS. Early on the morning Saturday 7 October 1944 they flow over the North Sea and Denmark on a mission to bomb a oil refinery in Politz. Over Denmark there was a little flak but no plane got hit.  The plane got technical problems with one engine's supercharger and couldn’t keep up the speed and altitude with the other planes on the bomb run. So it became a single plane bombing.

Over Politz the plane was hit by flak and there was only one engine that worked properly and the crew decided to try to fly to Sweden. The plan was to parachute over Sweden but it was too cloudy to see the ground so they didn’t know if they were over Sweden or still over the Baltic Sea. When they got out of the clouds they were too low to parachute and the only engine that worked didn’t produce enough power to make the plane to climb. The pilots now decided to land on a field but there were people out picking potatoes on the field and the plane turned to avoid the people and crashed in a small forest. The plane broke-up and burned. 4 died instantly and the rest where transported to the hospital in Karlshamn. F/O Rooney survived the crash but died on the night between Saturday and Sunday. F/O Rooney was 26 years old.

You can see pictures over a monument that is raised at the seen of the crash. http://www.sff.n.se/images_minnesten/Farabol.htm

Source: Thomas Johansson: thomas.p.johansson@bredband.net
Roscioli Lawrence nmi BZ 43-13     Photo from cookbook, "A Taste of Memories from Columbus Park," by Catherine T. Murray, page 314.
Rose Daniel nmi DE 44-07 758 459 Lt. Dan Rose and Sgt. Joseph G. Hallett a gunner were flying with LT DeGroat in B-24G 42-78160 nicknamed Cherry on Dec 18th mission #166 to Oswiecim, Poland.    These two men evaded capture, 2 KIA and the rest POWs.

Source: http://www.armyairforces.com/forum/fb.asp?m=109180
Rose
1LT
O-785515		 Karl E RS 44-12 62 39 Plane 44-69908, named Low and Lonely.  Crew P-54.

Source: www.39th.org
Rose
2LT		 Paul E BZ 43-16 866 494 KIA 6 Jul 1944
Rose
2LT		 Philip M MI 43-12   466 KIA when Dark Rhapsody and Shoo Shoo Baby had a mid-air collision and crashed near Vollenhove in a small lake called  Boswiede/Boschwijde on 23 March 1944.  MACR 3456.

For complete details, click here.

Crew list:
P:  LT Donald G. Griffin   KIA     San Antonio, TX
CP: 2LT Robert A. Gum   KIA     Upper Darby, PA
N: 2LT Fred P. Hazen      KIA     Ipswich, MA
B: 2LT Philip M. Rose       KIA     New York, NY
TT: S/S Joseph R. Burke    KIA     Chicago, IL
RO: S/S Bogan (NMI) Radick     KIA     Duluth, MN
BT: Sgt Dennis J. McCoy           KIA     Utahville, PA
RW: Sgt George M. McCord       KIA     Council Bluffs, IA
TG: S/S Aleck A. Amich             KIA     Mason, WI

Source: www.armyairforces.com

Rosey
2LT		 Jack BZ 43-16 492 KIA 19 May 1944.  MACR  5247.
Rosher
2LT
O-679230		 Jack W BZ 43-07 321 90 Entire crew was killed flying a night mission 29 Feb 1944, while flying with the Jolly Rogers.  Owen Buford was the pilot.

Source: Terry: DUMERAUF@cs.com  
 
Ross
2LT
O-747676		 Dean R KT 43-09
BZ 43-10		 743 455 Became a POW at Shuman, BUL camp on 18 May 1944.  MACR: 4842.

Source: Mark LaScotte: lascotte@comcast.net
Ross
2LT		 David L VV 44-08 866 494 Died 15 May 1978.
Rothberg
1LT
O-694502		 Chester nmi MI 43-14 765 461 His B24, 42k-78444, All American, was shot down on October 4, 1944 on a mission to Munich, GER.  All of the crew landed in Yugoslavia and returned to duty.

Crew list:
P: 1LT (later promoted to Captain) Robert T. Chalmers, 0-798437,
CP: 2LT Donald J. Rhodes, 0-825981
N: 1LT Frank M. Dick, 0-718260,
looks like from the MACR that he drowned when parachuting from a subsequent
crash in December, 1944.
TT: Sgt. Lester E. Anderson, 39330297
RW: T/S David L. Krause, 31308170
TG: Sgt. Archie S. Russell, 33804671
LW: Sgt. John F. Mezera, 16192453
NG: Sgt. Odie C. Alexander, 38536182
BT: Sgt. Patrick J. Kennedy, 32691166

Source:
James Admire: jladmire@earthlink.net
Rothermel
2LT		 Paul L BZ 43-16 866 494
Ruben Robert C SA 44-06 86 47 Source: Michael Rust: mandarust@msn.com
Rumsey Jack H DE 43-04 343 98 Source: Arthur Plouff - A.plouff@worldnet.att.net
Rothgeb
2LT		 Ward  L BZ 43-16 864 494 Died 1980.
Rudig
1LT
O-678394		 James W MI 43-06 455 323 POW 14 Feb 1945.
Bombardier instructor at Childress, TX in 1943.

Class photo.

Source: 1943 Childress Yearbook
Ruffin
2LT		 Patrick H GE 42-17 548 385 42-30254 went missing on 21 June 1943.

P: 2LT Herbert F Powley
CP: 2LT Fred G Montgomery
N: 2LT Lloyd S Boor
B: 2LT Pat H Ruffin
TTE: T/S David J McGadey
RO: T/S Ralph F Atkins
GNR: S/S William F Hahn
RO: Pvt Thoma N Cockfield
GNR: S/S Moriis Meyers
GNR: S/S James A Riggs
 
Rufeisen
2LT
O-767960		 Wallace J DE 43-09 511 351

Class photo.   Photo.

Crew Photo.  Rufeisen is 3rd from right.  The other men have not been identified.

Additional information on the original Lucky Ball crew. Here's the load list from their first mission to Bremen on November 26, 1943:

P: 2LT Lewis J. Maginn   O-804365
CP: 2LT Walter H. Brooks    O-807938
N: 2LT James D. McMurrow    O-678733
B: 2LT Wallace J. Rufeisen    O-767960
TTE: SGT Thomas F. Harkins    35714253
RO: SGT Lester W McClure    19170512
LW: SGT Albert R. Meyer     38438162
RW: SGT Edward H. Bucceri    32390962
BT: SGT Walter R. Snyder    13093393
TG: SGT James F. Phillips    33548444

During one of his B-17 missions to Osnabruck on December 22, 1943, his aircraft Lucky Ball had engine trouble and ended up losing 3 engines and eventually ditched in the North Sea while trying to return to base at Polebrook.  The aircraft sank so fast that they were unable to get the life rafts out.  The entire crew made it out of the aircraft but five of them died after a few minutes in the extremely cold water.  The remaining 5 were picked up by an English patrol boat that took them to recover at the nearest English hospital at Great Yarmouth. 

During the Korean War, he was flying B-26’s with the 728th BS/452nd BG out of K-9 Pusan on August 5, 1951, his aircraft was returning from a bombing mission to Pyonggang, Korea picking up targets of opportunity.  While diving on a reinforced concrete bridge, his aircraft was struck by small arms fire and partially disabled causing it to crash.  He received 3rd degree burns and was almost completely scalped.  He was taken to the hospital ship Haven at Pusan where he remained until he could be moved to the combat general hospital at Osaka, Japan.  After seven months, he was transferred to the Air Force Hospital at Nagoya.

He eventually retired from the Air Force in 1970 as a LT Colonel after having served tours in WWII (351st BG; 511th BS), Korea (452ndBG; K-9 Pusan) and Vietnam (Air America).

Source: Tim Coates: timothy.coates@intel.com

Runnels
2LT
0-2073412		 Billy L MI 44-13 360 303 After graduation he was invited to remain as instructor but declined.  Completed 14 missions over Germany. The first to Dresden on Feb. 15 and the last to Bayreuth, April 5, 1945. Was assigned "Lead Bombardier" status after completing 11 missions with the Lacker Crew and flew with various lead crews thereafter.  Photo.

Website.

Crew list as they appear in Crew photo.
P: 2LT Howard C. Lacker - KIA
CP: 2LT Ralph L. Johnson
B: 2LT Billy L. Runnels
N: 2LT James B. O'neil - KIA
TOG: S/S Clarence Mooneyham, Jr  - KIA
BT: Sgt Robert R. Reynolds - KIA
TG: Sgt Louis V. Garbarino - KIA
RO: T/S Lane Foster - KIA
ENG: S/S Francis E. Bratcher - KIA

KIA's on April 6, 1945, mission #353, Leipzig, Germany in a mid-ail collision. Johnson and Runnels were not with the crew.

From Bill:
They were on their 22nd mission at the time of the accident. I had completed only 14 in the same length of time. Lead Crews didn't fly as frequently. I was not on the mission in question. Co-Pilot Johnson was. He was assigned to the camera position in the tail of the lead aircraft. He filmed the collision. We all hoped that the crews got out of the two B-17s but no chutes were sighted before the aircraft entered a layer of clouds below. Lacker, Johnson, O'neil and I were in the same barracks so we remained very close even though I no longer flew with them. The hardest part was packing their persona belongings. They were reported "missing in action" but we still thought they may have gotten out. It was some time later that I learned otherwise.
 
Runner, Jr. W C RS 43-01 401 91  
Runyan
O-741371		 Purvis W VV 43-05 381 534 Class photo.

Source: Tom Runyan: fatdog2@mi-connection.com

Russell, Jr.
2LT		 Gordon R BZ 43-13   446 KIA when Dark Rhapsody and Shoo Shoo Baby had a mid-air collision and crashed near Vollenhove in a small lake called  Boswiede/Boschwijde on 23 March 1944.  MACR 3455.

For complete details, click here.

P: 2LT Robert L. Garrett             KIA     Norman, OK
CP: 2LT Billy B. Boyer                 POW   Hereford, TX
N: 2LT Roy D. Beukelman            KIA     Harrison, SD
B: 2LT Gordon R. Russell Jr          KIA     Rochester, NY
TT: S/S John J. Laurich              KIA     Montebello, CA
RO: S/S  Howard B. King             POW   Tipton, IN
BT: Sgt James R. Eaton              KIA     Atlanta, GA
LW: Sgt Orville S. Good               KIA     Huntsville, AL
RW: Sgt Milton E. Thompson         KIA     Dyer, TN
TG: S/S Charles P. Miller               POW   Camden Point, MO

Source: www.armyairforces.com

Ruska
T/S		 James   EM BMBR 491 341 Arrived in India on or about 16 Sept 1942.

Source: Tony Strotman: tonystro@cebridge.net

Rutledge
2LT		 W H KT 42-14 513 376
Ryan James M DE 44-02
VV 44-12		 866 494 Lonesome Lady, B24J 44-40680 was shot down on 28 July 1945.  Several of the crew were killed when the A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.  MACR 14758. A book is available, click here.  Click here for an article by the pilot, Tom Cartwright and a crew photo.

Crew list:
P: Thomas C. Cartwright
CP: Durden W. Looper  DNB 6 Aug 1945
N: Roy M. Pederson, Jr. presumably died 28 July 1945 -- 'chute failed to open 
ENG: Buford J. Ellison  DNB 6 Aug 1945
RO: Hugh H. Atkinson
GNR: Ralph J. Neal died 19 Aug 1945
GNR: John A. Long, Jr. DNB 6 Aug 1945
TG: William E. Abel
Ryer
1LT		 Chester M KT 42-06     Bombardier instructor.   Photo.

Source: 1943 Deming Yearbook