(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers Feb. 8, 1944)
Allen, Donald Leslie
Walt Kuehner was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Moody AAfld, GA. S/N: O-823215. He was assigned to the 448th Bomb Group 715th Bomb Sqdn.
Melrose Park, IL.
Anstett, Lawrence Walter (Sometimes spelled Anstott)
He was in the 726 Bomb Sqdn 451 Bomb Gp flying B-24’s in Italy.
Detroit MI.
Bachman, Theodore Emil
Graduated from Moody AAfld, GA. S/N: O-823237.
Palm Beach, FL
Bannister, Richard G.
Walt Kuehner was his instructor
Barcynski, John Joseph
Merrill Nelson was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Moody Field, GA. S/N: O-823249. He flew B-29’s. He and his crew were shot down by the Japanese. The entire crew was buried together in Missouri.
Click here for more information.
Norma F. Barcynski – wife.
Of Lebanon, PA.
Bartnek, Laurence A.
Merrill Nelson was his Instructor. He had Basic at Bainbridge AAfld, GA, and graduated at Turner AAfld, GA. He was in the 443rd Troop Carrier Group 315th Troop Carrier Sqdn. He was one of the "Hump" Pilots, and was Editor of the "Hump" Pilots magazine. Lt. Col.
Wife: Dorothy Bartnik.
Of Arlington Heights, Ill.
Born Feb. 24, 1923
Died Jun. 30, 1994
Burial Fort Sheridan, Highwood, IL
Barton, William Leroy
He graduated from Moody Field, GA. Flight Officer T-62413. He was with the 8th A.F., 457 Bomb Gp (H), 748th Bomb Sqdn. On July 31, 1944, his B-17-G (S/N: 42-97087) with a 10-man crew was hit by flak over the target, Munich, Germany. The plane began to disintegrate quickly with part of one wing falling off. He was the last survivor of the 3 survivors to bail out of the plane.
Click here for more information. He and the other two became P.O.W.s in Stalag Luft 1 until liberated by the Russians.
Smethport PA
Batey, David
Jose Oliveros was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Marianna Air Field, Marianna, FL (S/N: O-823854). At some point he was at the Millville Replacement Training Unit (RTU) of P-47 Pilots. He went on to fly P-47’s in the Southwest Pacific with the 58th Fighter Group 311th Fighter Squadron. He was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight to Clark Field, Luzon, Philippine Islands on January 3, 1945. He was flying in a formation of four P-47 aircraft searching for a missing pilot when two enemy fighters were sighted below. After his flight leader had shot down one of the hostile airplanes, he closed in on the second, started firing from 300 yards, and sent it crashing to the ground in flames.
Originally of Newton, MA. Wife: Doris (Girouard) Batey.
He died on April 15, 2000 Nashua, NH
Belward, Ralph Leonard
He graduated from Turner AAfld, GA. S/N: O-832757. He was assigned to stay at Turner as an instructor. He then served with the 8th A. F. 489th Bomb Gp 846th Bomb Sqdn (H)(VHB) in England. He was in B-29’s getting ready to go to the Pacific when the war ended. He had a 28 year career in the Air Force.
Lt. Col.
Virginia “Gini” Belward – wife.
Of Lakeland, FL.
Bentley, Gordon Gilbert
Walt Kuehner was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner AAfld, GA., S/N: O-823527. It is believed he served as a search and rescue pilot in India during the War.
Of Winter Haven, FL.
Berner, Louis Rolland Jr.
Jim Cox was his Instructor. He went to Basic at Bainbridge AAfld, Ga. and Advanced at Moody AAfld, GA. Next he was an AT-10 instructor at Moody Field. Then into A.T.C. in C-47 & C-46’s. He flew from Casa Blanca in Morroco, Tripoli in Libya and Abadan, Iran. He was mustered out as a 1st Lt. in the spring of 1946
"Barb" Berner – wife,
Of Salem, S. Carolina
January 9, 1923 – August 30, 2015
Bobbitt, Robert Luther
Merrill Nelson was his Instructor. He took Basic at Bainbridge AAfld, GA. He graduated at Moody AAfld, GA. and stayed there as an Instructor on twin engine. Then he went to the China – Burma theatre where he flew 113 missions. Next he had a 4 year period with the Missouri National Guard. After this he was at George AFB in California until called for a Korean tour in 1954 flying F-84’s. This was followed by several very interesting assignments. Finally he was Director of Plans & Programs for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins A.F.B., Ga. S/N: O-623286
Katie Bobbitt – wife.
Of Las Vegas, Nev.
Boettcher, Frank Paul
Merrill Nelson was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner AAfld, GA. S/N: O-927075. Assigned to Lockbourne AFB, OH. He was in the 351st Bomb Gp 511th Bomb Sqdn and flew missions over Germany. See
http://351st.org/Of New York City
Breunig, John J. Jr.
He graduated from Marianna Army Air Field in Florida. Per his obituary, he was a fighter pilot. He flew P-51s, with the 357th Fighter Group, 362nd Fighter Sqdn. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being shot down over Holland during operation Market Garden. While recovering from the severe shrapnel wounds in his leg, he met his future wife, Gloria Drexler, a nurse. Sources:
Daily Record (Morristown, New Jersey), Wed 26 Jul 2006, Page 15, and the American Air Museum at
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/123796.
Died July 25, 2006, age 84.
Brown, Ralph Meeks
J.B. Knox was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Moody Field, GA and was assigned to the AAF Pilot School at Chanute Field, IL. He served with the 8th A.F. flying B-17’s. Was lead crew on 10 of his missions. He had a 22 year Career in the Air Force. Retired Lt. Col.
Of Portville, N.Y.
Browne, A. L.
Merrill Nelson was his instructor
Burbank, Colby Lewis
He took Basic at Bainbridge AAfld, GA. He took twin engine training and at Valdosta, GA, and graduated as a 2nd Lt. Then instructed French cadets at Gunter Aafld, Montgomery, AL
Barbara Burbank – wife
Chambers, Ralph Everette
Jim Cox was his instructor at Douglas. He had basic at Bainbridge, and graduated from Moody Field. S/N: O-823311. He flew B-17 bombers during WWII with the 20th Bombardment Squadron. He was a Captain at war’s end.
Rachael Chambers – wife.
Of Winston Salem, NC
Christian, Virgil Harold Jr.
He trained at Maxwell Field, Douglas, and Casper, WY. Graduated from Moody AAfld, Valdosta, GA. S/N: O-823503. Served in Italy, flying B-24’s in the 465th Bomb Gp 781st Bomb Sqdn. On Dec. 18, 1944 he was co-pilot on a B-24H (S/N: 41-29414) on a mission to South Blechhammer, Germany. Just before the bomb run, his plane lost two superchargers and it fell out of formation. The crew ended up bailing out over Lake Balaton, Hungary. The crew stayed together and were picked up by the Russians and were returned to American hands through Bucharest, Rumania and were flown by Air Transport Command to Bari, Italy (MACR #10637).
Received Air Medal with 5 Battle Stars, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart.
Son of Mrs. Earl D. Vaughn. Billie Jean Christian – wife.
Of Lindale, TX. Attended Tyler Jr. College. Entered Army Air Forces in Jan. 1942.
Picture and medal information from Men and Women in WWII from Smith County, Texas https://dmc.tamuc.edu/digital/collection/lindale/id/347
He is shown in Clodfelter’s crew
here.
Clifford, Jack F.
Jim Cox was his instructor at Douglas.
From New York
Clifford, John Edward
Graduated from Moody AAfld, GA. S/N: O-823314. He was first pilot on a B-17G 42-102615 aircraft assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group, 728th Bomb Squadron based at Deopham Green, located in East Anglia England by December 1944.
Collette, Robert Donald
Bill Dillard was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner AAfld, GA. S/N: O-623533. Assigned to Westover AFB, MA.
Demerse, Dean L.
Fred Briles was his instructor at Douglas.
Devonshire, Robert W.
He became a bombardier/navigator in the 390th Bomb Gp 571st Bomb Sqdn. His missions are shown
here.
1st Lt.
from PA
Ellis, Calvin K.
Jim Cox was his instructor at Douglas. He was in the 027th Fighter Gp 524th Fighter Sqdn.
from Albany, NY
Ellison, Gordon T.
S/N: O-926646. He flew with the 465th Bomb Gp 781st Bomb Sqdn during WWII. A picture of him with his crew is
here. He then joined the National Guard. He was called back for the Korean War. He had a tour in Iceland in 1961. Then he flew Air-Vac. He was killed in a plane crash at Hilton Head, SC on April 26th, 1975.
Major
Nancy Ellison – wife
Gerbe, William T. Jr.
S/N: O-824619. He was in the 352nd Fighter Gp 486th Fighter Sqdn in the European Theater. He is credited with at least 2.5 "kills" as shown
here.
Goldman, Robert B
J.B. Knox was his instructor at Douglas.
From Pennsylvania
Gray, Fred Price
S/N: O-822695. He was in the 384th Bomb Gp 544th Bomb Sqdn. On Apr. 6, 1945 he was pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 43-39164) with a crew of 8. His plane collided with another plane in the formation after target; his plane peeled off to right; #3 engine fell off and #4 was on fire; it went into a flat spin and fell apart. 5 crew were KIA; 3 were POW. Gray was KIA (MACR #13850).
2nd Lt.
From Hillsoboro, AL.
For a list of his missions, click
here.
Green, David
He was reported as having flown into a mountain in India.
Grossman, Karl Dahl Jr.
He became a navigator in the 044th Bomb Gp 066th Bomb Sqdn. On Jan. 28, 1945, he was navigator on a B-24H (S/N: 42-52618) when it went down over Allied territory in the Netherlands (see
http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROH45.pdf). The crew survived.
2nd Lt.
Gurish, Harold (Hal)
From Chicago
Gyurits, Ernest Joseph
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823571. Assigned to Salt Lake City for bomber training. He was a B-17 pilot in the 305th Bombardment Group in England. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart. After being wounded he recuperated in Scotland, per letters exchanged with fellow Douglas cadet William Hanchett. He stayed in the service and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Buried: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, Nev. See
Find-A-Grave.Major
Born: Jul. 12, 1917
Died: Aug. 16, 1999
Stamford, CT.
Haines, Henry William
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-832572. He was then assigned to Turner Field. Later he was in the 444th Bomb Group, 67th Bomb Sqdn. He was flying the "Hump," and on Jan 7, 1945, his B-29 (S/N: 42-93871) took off from India; shortly after take-off the plane crashed and burned. He and the entire crew were lost (MACR #8911).
Lititz, PA.
Died Jan. 7, 1945
Hainey, Albert E
S/N: O-889660. He was in the 1st Air Commando Group 164th Liaisson Sqdn. On July 18, 1945, he was killed in a flying accident in India in a P-51K.
Hamlin, Boyd Hoover
Walt Kuehner was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner Field. GA. S/N: O-832573. Assigned to Turner Field, then Air Transport Command – India-China Division at Chabua. On June 9, 1945 he was killed in a flying accident in India in a L-5B. His obituary reads that he was killed as part of a rescue mission and that he flew supplies over "the hump" between India and Peking, China several times in a C-46.
Of St. Phillipsburg, PA
Born: Mar. 1, 1924 (see Find-A-Grave)
Hanchett, William F Jr.
Bill Dillard was his instructor at Douglas. He became a B-24 pilot at Tonapah Army Airfield at the end of the war.
After discharge, Bill graduated from Southern Methodist University and received M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from UC Berkeley. He taught U.S. History at San Diego State for 30 plus years. He authored numerous articles in scholarly journals and three books, including a well-received study of Lincoln’s assassination, The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies (1983).
LT.
May 25, 1922 – July 22, 2016
Hancock, John S
Bill Dillard was his instructor at Douglas.
Harrison, Robert Edwin
Bill Dillard was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner Field. GA. S/N: O-832576. Assigned to Turner Field.
Herrmann, John A.
Bill Dillard was his instructor at Douglas. He had basic at Bainbridge, GA and graduated from Marianna, FL. He went into fighters and flew P-47’s with the 27th Fighter-Bomber group out of Corsica. He flew 101 missions.
Died April 13, 2019, age 98.
Irma Herrmann – wife
Of Cincinnati, OH
Higgenson, Benjamin A Jr.
S/N: O-824626. He was in the 86th Fighter Gp 525th Fighter Sqdn. On Aug. 22, 1944 he was killed in action in a crash in Poretta, Corsica in a Republic P-47D-27-RE Thunderbolt (S/N: 42-27272).
Hines, Donald Henry
Jim Cox was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner Field,GA. S/N: O-823583. Assigned to 3rd A.F. at Barksdale, LA. Replacement Center. He was in 387th Bomb Gp 557th Bomb Sqdn.
Wilmington, N.C.
Hitzing, Albert Calvin
Merrill Nelson was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Moody Field, GA. S/N: O-823370. He was assigned to the 824th Squadron, the 484th Bomb Group in Italy flying a B-24.
Wife: Holley Hitzing
Of North Ft. Myers, Fl.
Hixon, Charles R. Jr.
Fred Briles was his instructor at Douglas. On May 25, 1944, he was at the Sarasota AAFd Replacement Training Unit and was killed in a flying accident in a P-40N.
Hubbard, Allen 3rd
Fred Briles was instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823589. Assigned to 3rd A.F. at Tampa, FL
New Haven, CT.
Iverson, Lawrence Oscar
Graduated from Turner Field,GA. S/N: O-823596. Went to 3rd A.F. Tampa, FL. Tom Stubbs was his instructor at Douglas.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
Jacobs, John Harrison Jr.
McLenden was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, GA and was assigned to stay there. He flew B-25’s and A-26’s with the 12th A.F. Night Intercepters in Italy.
Elaine Jacobs – wife
Of Scottsdale, AZ.
Jamison, James Attix
Graduated from Turner AAfld, GA. S/N: O-823598. Assigned to Lockbourne AFB, OH. He was a B-17 pilot with the 388th Bomb Grp 561st Bomb Sqdn and flew 39 missions.
1st Lt.
Of Philadelphia, PA.
Jehli, Walter Alexander
He dropped a Stearman over another at Douglas. The other prop cut his fuselage off just inches from the back seat. He graduated from Turner Field as F.O. but eventually obtained the S/N: O-558114. He was assigned to Westover APE Mass. He was in the 15th A.F., 484th Bomb Gp, 824th Bomb Sqdn. On Nov. 16, 1944, he was pilot of a B-24H (S/N: 41-28937) with a crew of 9 flying a mission on Munich, Germany. His ship was hit by flak at Salzburg and no. 2 engine was knocked out. It was observed heading out to see, with 5 men bailing out. The copilot bailed out at 900 feet and Jehli was to follow, but it may be that he thought he couldn’t bail out in time and tried to belly the ship in, instead of bailing out. A German told the copilot that a body had been found in the ship. Jehli was the only one unaccounted for. He was assumed K.I.A. (MACR #9886).
Chicago, IL and possibly Calif.
Jellinger, Thomas Christian
Graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823599. Assigned to 3rd AF at Barksdale, LA. On May 16, 1944 he may have been injured in an accident but retired on Jan 4, 1945
Rock Island, IL.
Jendricks, John Joseph
Graduated at Turner Field, Ga. Joined crew at Westover Field as co-pilot of a B-24. Flew with 389th heavy bomber group, 8th A.F. England. Completed 38 missions. Became a B-25 instructor. He was attending instrument instructor school at Bryan, Tx. as war ended.
Of Johnstown, Pa.
Olga Jendricks – wife
Jenkins, Arthur Guy Jr.
S/N: O-824636. He was in the 495th Fighter Training Group HQ. On July 28, 1944, while in the 552 Fighter Training Sqdn, he was killed in a flying accident in a P-47 in Wales.
Jenny, Jack Warren
Jose Oliveros was his Instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Bainbridge, GA, Graduated from Turner AAfld in Albany, GA. Later he was in the 449th Bomb Group, in Italy. 1st Lt.
Mary Jenny – wife.
Of Bethel Park, PA.
Jensen, Russel E.
S/N: O-826983. He was in the 1st Fighter Gp 94th Fighter Sqdn. On Nov. 11, 1944 he accompanied a photo recon mission out of Foggia Italy to Brux, Germany in a P-38 (S/N: 42-104248). His formation ran into heavy dense clouds and lost sight of each other. His plane was not seen again. He may have crashed into Lake Lesina (MACR #9802). Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, with a memorial marker at
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy1st Lt.
Of Racine, Wisconsin
Jones, Leo Leslie
He had Basic at Bainbridge, GA. He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823606. Was assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He was a B-24 Pilot with the 8th A.F. 467th Bomb Gp 790th Bomb Sqdn in England and flew 30 missions (Aug. 1944 to June 1945). He left the Service. He rejoined prior to Korea as a Test Pilot & Engineering officer at Baltimore. Next he received an M.B.A. at the Univ. of Chicago. Back to Andrews AFB. again. Next it was Vietnam in C-123’s. He returned to Andrews and retired from the Pentagon in July 1973 as a Lt. Col
Mildred Jones – wife
Of Camp Springs, MD.
Jones, Robert Charles
Joe Cotton was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823601. He was assigned to the Maxwell Field, AL Twin Engine Instructor School. He was assigned to Turner Field. He instructed there. He flew an A-26B to England (Southern Route) and had 6 combat missions with the 9th AF there — he was a pilot on a B-26B 42-43284 aircraft assigned to the 320th Bomb Group, 443rd Bomb Squadron based at Dijon Long-Vic, located in Eastern France.
Margaret Jones – wife
Of Mitchellville, MD.
Joseph, Paul Simon
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823608. Assigned to Westover AFB, MA. as co-pilot on B-24’s
Walled Lake, MI.
Joslyn, Jack Jr.
He had Basic at Bainbridge, GA and graduated from Advanced at Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823610. He flew 50 missions in B-25’s and was stationed at Foggia, Italy. He was assigned to the Reserves in Nov. 1945. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1980.
Evelyn Joslyn – wife
Of Muskegon, MI.
D.F.C.
Kartsunes, William Thomas
Graduated from Turner Field, Ga. Assigned 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. Tom Stubbs was his instructor at Douglas.
Oak Park, IL.
Kaseman, Robert Emmett
Tom Stubbs was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Bainbridge and graduated from Turner Field, all in Georgia. S/N: O-823614. He was assigned to Westover AFB. Mass. He flew B-24F’s in the 8th A.F., 467 Bomb Group for 35 missions. See
http://www.the467tharchive.orgRedding, CA.
Kasper, Robert Roy
Graduated from Turner Field, Ga, S/N: O-823615. Was assigned to Lockbourne AFB, OH. He was in the 351st Bomb Gp 511th Bomb Sqdn. See
http://351st.org/ for his missions.
1st Lt.
Kelleher, William James
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823619. Assigned to Smyrna AFB. He was in the 461st Bomb Gp 765th Bomb Sqdn. See
http://www.461st.org/
Klus, Thaddeus "Ted"
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. Assigned to 3rd AF at Salt Lake City.
Koepke, Howard William
Al Crisler was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823636. He was assigned to 3rd AF. at Tampa, FL. Later was a B-17 Pilot in the 92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Sqdn (H). On Aug. 9, 1944, he was shot down on a mission to Munich (MACR #8077) and spent considerable time in Stalag #3.
Mary Koepke – wife
Of Pittsburgh, PA.
Koerwitz, Donald Edwin
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823637. He was assigned to the Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio. He was with the 97th Bomb Gp., 414th Bomb Sqdn. On Nov. 16, 1944, he was was flying a B-17G (S/N: 42-31586) on a mission to Munich. On the way to the target, No. 3 engine caught fire. Koerwitz ordered the crew to bail out. 7 men bailed out. Koerwitz returned the aircraft to a friendly base, with the engine on fire. (MACR # 9349)
Later he was with the 341st Bomb Sqdn, 97th Bomb Group. On Feb 25, 1945 on a mission to Austria, just before "bombs away" his B-17 peeled off with smoke coming from one engine. It lost altitude rapidly and immediately started to break apart into pieces. 6-8 chutes came out. Koerwitz is believed to have gone down with the plane when he did not have time to get out before it broke into pieces. He and 3 others were announced as K.I.A. (MACR #12715)
Labor, Fellip A.
Went to Single Engine.
Lammie, Harold Ritchie
He was in the 353rd Fighter Gp 352nd Fighter Sqdn
Lt.
From PA
Landis, Harry C.
Joe Cotton was his instructor
LaRochelle, Philip
Oliveros was his instructor.
He is probably 2nd Lt Phillip LaRochelle, S/N O-824662, who was a fighter pilot in the 318th Fighter Group, 19th Fighter Sqdn, who shot down an enemy plane on May 28, 1945 (see
Army Air Force Victories by Arthur Wyllie, pp. 186, 405)
Lavalle, John Edward
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823639. Assigned to 3rd A.F. at Barksdale, LA.
Boston, MA
Lawrence, Louis John, Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823640. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. at Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio. He was in the 401st Bomb Gp 612th Bomb Sqdn. On Jan. 13, 1945 while flying a Fortress (B-17), he was wounded on his 25th mission by shrapnel in the head. His co-pilot landed the plane in France, but Lawrence died the next day.
See http://401bg.org/. He was awarded the D.F.C., and Air Medal with 3 clusters.
Centerville, PA.
Died: Jan. 14, 1945
Lawson, Robert Stevens
Graduated from Turner Field, GA S/N: O-823640. Was assigned to 3rd AF at Tampa, Fl
Plymouth, MI.
Lea, William Townes Sr.
He graduated from Turner Field, Ga. S/N: O-823642. Was assigned to stay at Turner. Later he was a B-24 Pilot in the 9th Bomb Gp 001st Bomb Sqdn (VHB) with 32 missions over Japan. He flew Representatives to the Peace Negotiations.
1st Lt.
Wife: Nancy Lea
Of Danville, VA.
Leamy, Charles Lester
Graduated from Turner Field, GA, S/N: O-823643. He was assigned to Smyrna AFB, TN, then 389th Bomb Gp 564th Bomb Sqdn flying B-24’s.
Chicago, IL.
Lindahl, Donald Anian
Graduated from Turner Field, Ga. S/N: O-823645.
born Apr. 1, 1923
died May 28, 1996
Arlington, MA
Lollis, Clyde Washington Jr
He was in a glider program prior to being a Cadet. Snow White was his Instructor. He graduated from Turner Field, Ga. S/N: O-823647. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. at Plant Park, Tampa, FL. Later he flew B-17’s in Europe in the 100th Bomb Gp 418th Bomb Sqdn. He was called to fly in the Berlin Air Lift. He stayed in the Air Force for 28 years. He was also in the Special Air Missions. Lt. Col
Florence Lollis – wife.
Of Spartanburg, S.C.
Maloney, Edward Joseph
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823654. He was in the 464th Bomb Gp, 776th Bomb Sqdn, 55th Bombardment Wing, 15th Air Force in Europe. On Aug. 24, 1944 he was killed in action while a co-pilot of a B-24 (H), "Little Lulu" S/N: 42-52479. His plane was attacked by German fighters and shot down after dropping their bombs on an oil refinery in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia. The event occurred when the bombers were returning to their airbase in Pantanella in Italy.
See MACR #7968
Marulli, Anthony G
He became a navigator, S/N: O-709418. He was in the 492nd Bomb Gp 856th Bomb Sqdn and then the 93rd Bomb Gp 328th Bomb Sqdn. On Feb. 3, 1945 he was navigator on a B-24J (S/N: 42-50628) and was killed in action when his plane dropped out of formation between the IP and "bombs away". The plane crashed near Hanover, Germany (MACR #12231).
McGuire, Robert Edward
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823660. He was in the 447th Bomb Gp 708th Bomb Sqdn. On Nov. 4, 1944 he was co-pilot of a B-17 (S/N: 42-32081) that appeared to be hit by flak near Hamburg before reaching the target. The plane remained in control for a time but then crashed killing all on board (MACR #10162).
Click
here for his plane and more info
Mills, William Thomas
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823663. He was in the 095th Bomb Gp 334th Bomb Sqdn. On Aug. 25, 1944 he was co-pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 42-31992) on a mission to Politz, Germany. The plane was hit and was seen to explode. He bailed out and was interned in Sweden (MACR #08280 and 95thbg.org web site for Bussen crew).
Mokwa, Ralph
Jose Oliveros was his instructor at Douglas. S/N: O-824692. He was killed in a BT-13A on Mar. 12, 1944 in a flying accident while stationed at Bainbridge AAFd Basic Flying School (Georgia).
Morsillo, Nicholas Dominick
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823667. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. at Columbia, S.C. He was sent to Yangkai, China. He flew 50 missions with the 14th A.F. 341st Bomb Grp., 242nd Medium Bomb Sqdn. He was released in Dec. 1945. He later flew the "Hump". Major
Thelma Morsillo – wife
Of Schenectady, N.Y.
Moulaison, James Augustine
James graduated at Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823668. Was assigned to stay at Turner Field. Later flew B-24’s in Italy for 40 missions. He was shot down but returned without being captured. He received the D.F.C and Air Medal. 1st Lt.
Barbara Moulaison, wife,
of Rockland, Maine.
Ogden, Ziba Bennett "Ben"
He graduated from Stewart Field, at West Point NY, in the class of 44C, S/N: O-827822. He was in the 450th Bomb Gp 721st Bomb Sqdn flying B-24’s in Manduria, Italy, completing 50 missions. He stayed in the service until 1969. See his bio and pictures
here. He received DFC, Air medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, and various other citations.
Born Feb. 10, 1924
Died Sept 3, 2004
from DC
2nd Lt.
Parnell, Roland Cleveland
He started at Douglas with class of 44-A but was delayed and left Douglas in the class of 44-B. Parnell graduated from Turner Field (with Class 44-B), S/N: O-823670. He then was assigned to Smyrna Army Air Field TN for transition training into the B-24. He flew B-24’s with the 450th Bomb Gp., 721st Bomb Sqdn. See
http://www.450thbg.com/. On Feb. 7, 1945 he flew from Manduria Air Base in Italy to bomb the Moosbierbaum Oil Refinery near Vienna. During the bomb run, his plane was hit by flak, destroying the #3 engine. Despite this damage to his aircraft, Parnell completed the bomb run, but then was hit again by flak during the rally off the target, this time destroying the #4 engine. Although losing altitude, Parnell kept the aircraft aloft and headed southeast towards the Russian lines in Hungary. Once over Hungary and near Lake Balaton, he located a relatively flat snowy field and made a successful wheels-up crash landing, during which no crew members were injured. The Russian Army returned all crew members safely to Manduria Air Base on March 15, 1945. After the war Parnell stayed in the A.A.F. to fly Test Group Atomic. He was killed in a B-45 crash during a night training mission at Langley Field, VA in March, 1952.
Peterson, Peter William
Jose Oliveros was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Turner Field, GA. O-323671. Assigned to 3rd A.F. at Columbia, S.C.
Peterson, Ralph Lavere
Tommy Stubbs was his Instructor. He had Basic at Bainbridge Field, Ga. Ralph graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-623673. He was assigned to Lockbourne AFB. Ohio. He left for England with the 379th Bomb Group on Christmas day 1944. He flew 32 missions in B-17s over Germany. Later did some civilian flying. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War and served five years in the SAC flying B-36s in the Nuclear Deterrent Plan during the Cold War.
Major
June Peterson, – wife.
Of Battle Creek, Mich.
He published a book about his experiences Fly A Big Tin Bird; 379th Bomb Group
Philbrick, Leon G. Jr.
He was in the 12th A.F., 324th Fighter Gp 314th Fighter Sqdn and then in the 350th Fighter Gp. He flew P-47’s in France.
Phillips, Vernon Ardell
S/N: O-823514. He was at the Apalachicola AAFd and then at 351st Bomb Gp 510th Bomb Sqdn. Click
here for his missions.
Plohr, Henry Warren
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823674. Assigned to Turner Field. Then he was in the 489th Bomb Gp 846th Bomb Sqdn (H).
A HISTORY OF THE 489th BOMB GROUP pages 298 & 259 has his crew picture
Posner, Harvey S.
He washed out in Basic and became a navigator, per Selman Field During WWII, Turner Pub.
Pressentin, Donald C.
S/N: O-824718. He was in the 324th Fighter Gp 315th Fighter Sqdn. On 17 Apr 1945 he badly damaged his P-47 in a belly landing, with fuel exhausted at Luneville France.
Prigozen, Saul S.
Enlisted: February 20, 1943 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He washed out in Advanced.
Born Apr 4, 1924.
Readill, Charlie
Walt Kuehner was his instructor at Douglas.
Reid, Samuel Charles
He had Advanced at Marianna, FL. He was in the 456th Bomb Gp 747th Bomb Sqdn
Reinert, Robert Amandus
Graduated from Turner Field, GA, S/N: O-823684. Assigned to Turner Field. Then to 9th Bomb Gp 099th Bomb Sqdn (VHB). He flew B-29s on at least 14 missions from Tinian Island. See
http://9thbombgroup.org/9thHistoryBook.pdf.
1st Lt.
North Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
Reinhardt, Joseph L.
Joe washed out at Douglas. Went into Gunnery and Mechanics school. He served by doing mechanical work on bombers during the war.
Frances Reinhardt, wife
Of Denton, MD.
Rice, Floyd E.
S/N: O-824821. He was in the 21st Fighter Gp 531st Fighter Sqdn
Riggott, Leroy Wilfred
He graduated from Turner Field, Ga. S/N: O-832686. Was assigned to Westover AFB, MA. He served in England with the 8th A.F. flying B-25’s. Returning he was a Flight Instructor on B-25’s at Douglas AZ. Then went into helicopters. 1st Lt.
Eileen Riggott, wife
Of Harwich, MA.
Rimlinger, Kenneth R
S/N: O-824726. He was in the 354th Fighter Gp 353rd Fighter Sqdn
Capt.
Was from Mount Pleasant, PA
Ritter, Robert Brown
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-323687. Assigned to Seymour-Johnson AFB, IN., for Project "Baker Xray 0225"
Winchester, VA.
Ritzell, James Augustus
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-832688. Was assigned to Turner. He was discharged at the end of the war. He then joined the Reserve where he retired as Captain.
Lucile Ritzell (wife)
Of Westover, Mass.
Robinson, Matthew Russell
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823690. He was in the 390th Bomb Gp 568th Bomb Sqdn. On Jan. 14, 1945, he was a co-pilot on a B-17G (S/N: 42-102677) with a crew of 10 on a mission to an oil refinery at Derben Germany. The squadron was attacked by about 100 enemy aircraft and the entire squadron was lost. A fire erupted in the bomb bay and he bailed out with some of the others in the crew. He was captured and became a P.O.W. in Stalag Luft 3/-7A near Sagan, Germany and Nurenburg, Germany.
Of Belleview (Pittsb.) PA.
Born Dec. 27, 1921
Died Jan. 13, 2003
Click
here for a list of his missions.
Robitcheck, Arthur V. Jr.
S/N: O-824730. He was in the 069th Tactical Recon Gp 029th Tactical Recon Sqdn based at Brooks Field, TX. On Apr. 13, 1946, he was killed in Illinois in a taxiing accident while in a TF-6D (S/N: 44-84784)
Roland, Richard B.
S/N: O-824731. He was in the 3rd Ferrying Gp flying C-47s. At one time he was based in Romulus AAF, MI.
Rollins, Ralph Kenneth
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823692. Assigned Lockbourne AFB, OH. Then he was in 407 Bomb Sqdn, 92 Bomb GP. On Jan. 1, 1945 he was pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 43-38932) with a crew of 9 on a mission to Kassel, Germany. The plane was knocked out of formation by enemy fighter attacks. It was on fire between the #2 engine and the fuselage. The aircraft blew up. He was listed as MIA then KIA (MACR #11371).
2Lt
Norberth, PA.
Born Sept 25, 1924 Flushing, NY.
Was married
Rollins, Robert Henry
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-832693.
Wollaston, MA.
He is probably the Robert H. Rollins found on
this obituary page, dying in 1999 at the age of 80.
Rubinton, Jerold Edwin
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823694. Assigned to Smyrna AFB. TN. Then 450th Bomb Gp 723rd Bomb Sqdn ds 015AF 885BS (2641SPEC GP). On Nov. 21, 1944 he was pilot of a B-24J (S/N: 42-51976) with a crew of 9 on a mission to Yugoslavia. The plane was shot down near Brod, Yugoslavia and he was killed (MACR #09953).
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rumstay, Harry Edward
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823695. He was in the 9th Bomb Gp 1st Bomb Sqdn (VHB)
Rushmore, Edward H.
S/N: O-824736. He was in the 354th Fighter Gp 353rd Fighter Sqdn. On April 25, 1945 while strafing the airdrome at Eferding (Austria), his P-51 was hit by flak. He was probably killed immediately, and his plane was badly damaged and crashed with him in it. (Description included in MACR #14099).
Buried at: Plot B Row 11 Grave 1, Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium.
Awards: Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, per http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwii.php
Russell, Leland Jefferson
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. Assigned 3rd A.F. at Columbia, S.C. Replacement Training Unit, then to China-Burma-India theater.
Capt.
Leesville, LA.
Born Sep. 14, 1918
Died Dec. 8, 2001
Buried Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX
Sachs, Donald Gordon
Graduated from and assigned to Turner Field, Ga. O-823698. He was then in 388th Bomb Gp 563rd Bomb Sqdn. On Dec. 31, 1944 he was co-pilot on a B-17G (S/N: 44-8207) on a mission toward Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft was hit by flak at target just before "bombs away." Number 1 engine was out and no. 2 was on fire. The crew bailed out and he became a POW at Stalag-Luft 1 (MACR #11241).
1st Lt.
Jersey City, N.J.
Sampson, Robert Doremus
He had Basic at Bainbridge, Advanced at Turner Field, all in GA. S/N: O-623700. He instructed in AT-10’s at Turner. He flew B-24’s for 35 missions over Europe. On one flight he had to bail out at 400′ and spent some time in a hospital. Put on inactive status in Aug. 1945.
Cynthia Sampson, wife
Of Englewood, Fla.
Sanner, Harry Earl
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823702. He was assigned to Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio. Later he was in the 8th Air Force, 487th Bomb Gp 837th Bomb Sqdn and flew 35 missions in B-17’s over Germany.
1LT
Gretta Sanner, wife
Of Pottsville, PA
Sapak, Aloysius Ignac
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823703. He was assigned to Lockbourne AFB. Ohio. He flew in B-17’s with the 8th A.F., 303rd Bomb Group, 360th Bomb Sqdn. On Sept. 28, 1944, he was copilot on a B-17G (S/N: 43-37930) in the Magdeburg, Germany raid (MACR #9406). The plane was subjected to intense fighter attacks and was hit by 20mm. shells. Parts flew off and its left wing was on fire. The ship went down in a spin. The crew bailed out. Sapak spent 8 months as a POW. 2nd Lt.
Eleanor Sapak, wife.
Of Saginaw, Mich.
Sardon, John Carl
S/N: O-558008. He graduated from Turner Field, Ga as F.O. and was assigned to Lockbourne AFB. Ohio. He was in the 390th Bomb Gp 571st Bomb Sqdn, flew 35 missions, and was called back for Korea. He was also an Instructor on C-82’s.
Captain
Alvira Sardon, wife
Of Pittsburgh PA.
Scanlon, Thomas Herbert
Ben Epps may have been his Instructor. He graduated from Turner Field, GA. O-823704, and was assiqned to Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio. It was said that he was later flying a B-17 out of Africa and Italy when he was shot down and killed in action (from Tony Schneider). However, there was a Thomas J. Scanlon who was killed in a B-17, and the two may have been confused. It is quite likely that Thomas H. Scanlon survived the war, lived in Belle Vernon PA, and died about Nov. 29, 1968 (Monessan Valley Independent, Nov 30, 1968).
Pittsburgh, PA.
Schaech, Daniel Joseph
Graduated from Turner, GA. S/N: O-823705. Assigned to 3rd A.F. at Barksdale Field, LA. Then he was in 344th Bomb Gp 494th Bomb Sqdn (per unit history of 344th Bomb Group (M) "SILVER STREAKS": History & Remembrances WWII).
Schelde, Henry J.
He was in the 366th Fighter Gp, per Air Force Association Directory of Members, 2001.
Scheller, Donald Richard
Graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823706. He was in the 401st Bomb Gp 613rd Bomb Sqdn. Click
here for a list of his missions.
Schiff, Stanley J.
S/N: O-824739. Retired (disabled) Nov. 7, 1944.
Lt. from OK
See his picture with class of 1944-A.
Schimek, Robert
He grad. at Turner Field, Ga. Served with the 8th A.F. in England. Was released as a 1st Lt. Later joined the reserve and made Major
Wife is Laverne
Schlecht, Walter John
Tom Doran was his Instructor. He graduated from Turner Field, Ga. S/N: O-823709, and was assigned to Lockbourne AFB. Ohio. Completed 35 missions with the 303rd Bomb Group in B-17’s. He was later assigned to the SAC and flew 55 missions to Korea. Retired as Lt. Col.
Martha Schlecht, wife.
Of Miami, FL.
Schlegel, Dick R.
He graduated and served in the 9th A.F. 365th Fighter Gp 387th Fighter Sqdn in P-47’s for 21 missions. Awards: Air Medal. He was discharged in Sept. 1946. He went to the Univ. of Iowa Law School. He practiced law for 28 years. Then became a District Judge. He owned a Stearman for about 10 years.
Capt.
Wife: Maxine Schlegel
Of Ottumwa, Iowa
Schmidt, William Thomas
Graduated from Turner Field, GA.Assigned to Seymour—Johnson AFB, IN. for project "Baker X-ray 0225"
Chicago, IL.
Schmitt, Arthur J.
S/N: O-824742. Charles Compton was his instructor at Douglas. He also was at Bainbridge. He was in the 475th Fighter Gp 431st Fighter Sqdn. On Feb. 15, 1945 he was killed in a P-38 (S/N: 44-25428) in the Pacific on a patrol mission to Cebu and Negros. On a strafing run on Silay Airdrome, he struck his left wing on an object. On his return to base, his plane lost RPM and he crashed into the sea off Tabung Point. Rescuers could not find him after searching (MACR #12380).
2nd Lt.
Buried in the Manilla Cemetery
Schmolke, Robert Henry
Ben Epps was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-623711, and was assigned to Turner Field. Later he was in the 8th A.F., 95th Bomb Gp., 334th Bomb Sqdn and flew 23 missions. On Nov. 30, 1944, he was copilot of a B-17G (s/N: 42-97383) with a crew of 9 on a bombing mission on Merseburg, Germany. The plane was hit by flak just before "bombs away." Schmolke stayed at the controls to prevent the plane from going into a spin so that the rest of the crew could bail out. By the time he was able to bail out, the plane blew up and his body was found in the wreckage. As one of his crew members said, "This man deserves a D.F.C. at least. I heard that he was put in for it and it was turned down. Actually, he should be awarded a Silver Star. If any one was a hero in this War, he was. If he had not acted with the courage and coolness the whole crew might have perished. He saved the lives of seven men and lost his own." (MACR #10839).
Schneider, Anthony C.
Ben Epps was his Instructor. He had Basic at Bainbridge, GA and Advanced at Turner Field, GA, S/N: O-830779. Later he was in the 464th Bomb Gp 776th Bomb Sqdn flying B-24’s out of Africa and Italy. On Nov. 20, 1944 he ditched a plane at the Dalmation Islands in the Adriatic Sea. His plane broke apart and sank. One crew member was killed.
On Jan. 31, 1945, he was co-pilot in a B-24J (S/N; 42-51423) with a crew of 10 on a mission to Moosbierbaum, Austria. About 15 minutes from target, the plane was attacked by enemy fighters. They feathered No. 2 engine. All crew members bailed out and gathered together near Shondorff Romania. They evaded capture and returned to the 15th A.F. at Bari Italy.
Click here for a PDF of a newspaper article and pictures about Schneider and his crews.
Schwartz, Irving or Irwin
Scott, David Arthur
John Fraser was his Instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Bainbridge and Advanced at Turner Field, Albany, GA. S/N: O-823713. Then to Smyrna, Tenn for B-24 transition. Then to the 8th Air Force at Boise., 392nd Bomb Group, 577th Sqdn. They were in Wendling, England. He flew 35 missions. He returned to be a Sqdn. Training Officer.
1st Lt.
Betty Scott, wife
Of Westminster, Maryland
Click
here for pictures of him and his crew
Sease, Robert D.
He became a bombardier, S/N: O-718026, per
the book BOMDARDIERS.
Senarens, William Belmont
S/N: O-824749. He was in the 078th Fighter Gp 083rd Fighter Sqdn. On Feb. 3, 1945 he was flying a P-51D (S/N: 44-15729) on a bomber escort mission to Germany. Flak hit his plane and it lost its coolant. He bailed out and was a P.O.W. in Stalag Luft 3/-7A (
MACR #12164)
Servo, John F.
Managed to damage a PT-17 (S/N: 42-16347) while landing at Douglas (South Georgia College Field). He became a navigator, per the book Selman Field During WWII.
Shaw, Morgan A.
He became a navigator, S/N: O-723189. He was in the 461st Bomb Gp 767th Bomb Sqdn.
Sibbick, William Albert
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823722 and was assigned to Smyrna AFB, TN, then the 450th Bomb Gp 722nd Bomb Sqdn
Silver, Edward
Ben Epps was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out
Simon, Henry "Hank"
Charles Sherrill was his Instructor. He had Basic at Bainbridge. “Hank” graduated at Marianna, FL, and then received training in P-40’s and P-51’s, (his favorite). He had 368 missions in the C. B .I. Theatre with the 1st Air Commando Group, Liaison Sqdn (UC-64). Then he had a series of assignments at Cleveland, Wright Patterson, The Pentagon, San Antonio, then back to Dayton and last in Washington D.C. again. He retired as a Major General in Sept. 1976.
Lee Simon, wife.
Of Crystal River, FL
Simone, Victor Robert
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-832723. He was assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City and to the 445th Bomb Group, 700th Bomber Sqdn.
Flushing, L.I., N.Y.
Singer, Sam
Graduated from Turner Field, GA. assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Singerman, Theodore Abrah
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. O-823724. He was assigned to the 1st Air Force at Westover, Mass. Later he was in the 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Div., 448th Bomb Gp, 714th Bomb Sqdn flying 35 missions in B-24’s.
A number of his WWII items are found
here.
Sleeper, Gordon C. Jr.
He was in the 048th Fighter Gp 492nd Fighter Sqdn over France.
Smith, Robert William
Clyde Clymer was his instructor at Douglas. Bob graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823726. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. at Tampa, FL. Then he served with the 96th Bolt Grp., 8th A.F. in England. He flew 35 missions while there. He returned and was a transportation Officer until he was discharged as a 1st Lt.
Inez Smith, wife.
Of Florharn Park, N.J.
Sonnenreich, Joseph Isaac
Gladys Spencer, wife
Of Florence, N.J.
Spencer, William H.
He graduated from Turner Field, GA and was assigned to Plant Park, Tampa, Fl. 3rd A.F. He served in WWII and then joined the Reserves. Recalled for the Korean War. Major
Stamatel, Henry S.
Stamatel completed Air Navigation Training at the Army Air Force–Pan-American Airway School in Coral Gables, Florida. He was commissioned and eventually assigned to the 20th Air Force. Stamatel served on Guam in the Mariana Islands, where his team flew B-29s. He was honorably discharged from AAF in June 1946.
Born 1923.
Wife: Mary Patricia Fraser Stamatel
Of Camillus, NY.
Stevens, Norman Leslie Jr.
Norman graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823721. He was assigned to Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio and Tyndall Field Gunnery School. Then he was in the 457th Bomb Gp 749th Bomb Sqdn. On April 10, 1945, in a mission to Oranienburg, Germany, he was flying deputy lead and was hit in the No. 3 engine by a Me-262 just after bombs away. There was a severe explosion. The craft dropped out of formation, but managed to stay within range of the bomber stream all the way to the Channel, and he made an emergency landing at Woodbridge.
He stayed in the Service and the Reserve for a total of 41 years.
Retired as a Lt. Col.
Delores Stevens, wife
Of Hondo, N.M.
Stubblebine, George J.
Ben Epps was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out.
Swanson, Clifford Ragner
Ben Epps was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823733. He was assigned to the 1st A.F. at Westover Field, Mass.
Batavia, NY.
Therriault, Rene A.
Charles Sherrill was his instructor at Douglas. S/N: O-824778. He was in the 15th A.F., 14th Fighter Gp. in Italy. On Apr. 11, 1945 he was flying a P-38 (S/N: 44-26027) on a strafing mission in southern Germany. His plane was hit by enemy A/A or small arms fire on his first pass at a locomotive. He crash landed his plane in Yugoslavia and was killed.
Click here for more information.
Tomasini, Dante Hugo (Tom)
He had Basic at Bainbridge, GA and graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823737. He was assigned to the Smyrna AFB, TN. He was in the 451st Bomb Gp 724th Bomb Sqdn. Was Lt. Col
Columbia, S.C.
Trombley, Raymond G.
He graduated (S/N: O-824789) and was sent to the 15th A.F., 14th Fighter Grp., 48th Fighter Sqdn. at Foggia, Italy. On Nov. 1, 1944, he was on a mission to Vienna, Austria and flying a P-38L (S/N: 44-24143). While strafing locomotives near Nagyeenk, Hungary, Trombley caught a wing tip of his P-38 on a tree. The plane cart-wheeled, caught fire and Trombley was badly burned. He was a P.O.W. for 7 months. (MACR #9603). While in Stalag XIII-D, Nürnberg, fellow classmate Vibbert was brought in as prisoner. Vibbert was also badly burned. Vibbert in order to buck up Trombley, dubbed Ray “Prune Face” and himself “The Brow” – from the comic strip characters in Dick Tracy. One of their friends in the prison camp wrote, "Whenever Ray sank into a funk, Harry would say, “Come on ‘Prune Face,’ I’m ‘The Brow,’ and I’m the boss,” and Ray would buck up. It was beautiful to watch what those two men did for each other. One giving – one receiving – both gaining. It’s a memory I’ll treasure forever."
Wilbraham, MA.
Probably born Oct. 27, 1923 and died June 22, 2008
Van Deusen, Harry J. Jr.
Harry graduated and served in the 59th Fighter Sqdn., 33rd Grp. He had 49 missions.
1LT
Eileen Van Duesen – wife.
Of Huntington, NY.
Velsor, Curtis F.
He became a bombardier, S/N: O-722639. He was in the 464th Bomb Gp 776th Bomb Sqdn. He received the Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, per
http://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org/.
Vibbert, Harry Joseph Jr.
S/N: O-824794. He was in the 36th Fighter Gp 22nd Fighter Sqdn flying P-47s. On Sept. 22, 1944 he was flying a P-47 (S/N: 44-19567) reconnaissance mission to Nancy, France. Vibbert was hit by flak as he approached Nancy, France. The aircraft caught fire but Vibbert somehow managed to bail out. However, he suffered very severe burns to his arms, legs, throat, forehead, and broke his ankle when he landed in his parachute. He was caught by German soldiers who marched him for several miles, despite his severe injuries, to a military installation. While standing at attention in front of a German officer seated behind a desk, he collapsed from exhaustion. He was taken to a German hospital for treatment of his burns. He spent several weeks in the hospital before he was transferred to Dulag Luft – Oberusal and then to Nürnberg (MACR #09794). He was said to have an unflagging sense of humor (see Trombley entry above). He was liberated Apr. 29, 1945.
Lt. Col.
Married: Billie Nelle Vibbert
Died on 6 October 1986 and is buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery, site C, plot 246 in Augusta, MI.
Vincent, Wayne Shaffer
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823745. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. at Columbia, Tn. He was in the 41st Bomb Gp 396th Bomb Sqdn as pilot in the Pacific Theater. He was discharged at the end of the war. Then he was a Corporate Pilot. He retired with 14,000 hours. 1st Lt.
Lois Vincent, wife
Of Somerset, PA.
Born: June 22, 1922
Died: Dec. 21, 2001
Warren, Harold Arnold Jr.
S/N: O-823748. He was in the 8th Air Force.
2nd Lt.
Wiley, Kenneth George
He graduated from Turner Field, GA. S/N: O-823752. He was assigned to Lockbourne A.F.B. Ohio. He was checked out on B-17’s in Louisana. He was sent to England with the 8th A.F. and later to Italy with the 15th A.F. He returned to instruct at Lockborne A.F.B. at Columbus, OH. 2nd Lt.
wife Helaine.
Of Fairfort, N.Y.
Willis, Gilbert Beardsley
S/N: O-823753. He was in the 91st Bomb Gp 324th Bomb Sqdn. On Sept. 8, 1944 he was killed instantly by a direct hit of flak in his neck while flying a B-17 over Ludwigshaven, Germany. See
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/2nd Lt.
Of Dover, Delaware
Buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Dover, DE.
Ziehler, Allen J.
He became an Engineer-Gunner in the 341st Bomb Gp, 22nd Bomb Sqdn
S/Sgt.
Click
here for his squadron roster.
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