Class 1942-D – World War II Flight Training Museum and the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
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(Scheduled to graduate from Douglas on Dec. 12, 1941 and from Advanced on about April 29, 1942)
Banks, James Paul
Graduated at Turner Field Class of 42D, S/N: O-789122. Served with the 345th Bomber Grp Headquarters as B-25 pilot and was killed in a flying accident on July 27, 1943 at Port Moresby, New Guinea while piloting a small Piper Cub (L-4B).
CPT
From FL
Barraclough, Robert A.
Graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789124) and was assigned to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH. Then he served 12 months in the European Theater of Operations and 4 months in Trinidad during WWII. He flew 32 missions in the 490th Bomb Group in B-24s and B-17s. In Vietnam, he commanded the Fifth Air Commando Squadron. See http://www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com
Retired as Lt. Col.
Born August 23, 1919
Died November 15, 2011
From PA
Burnett, David Frank Jr.
Graduated at Turner Field Class of 42D, S/N: O-789123. He was sent to Langley Field, VA immediately after graduation.
LT
Bridges, Jack W.
Graduated Turner Field (S/N: O-789128). Was assigned to the Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation on April 29, 1942, probably to perform antisubmarine missions.
He was then sent to England for 18 months for combat duty and returned on a 21-day furlough to his home in Louisiana in August 1944 [Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana) 09 Aug 1944, Wed, Page 8].
CAPT.
Born 30 Apr 1920
Died 14 Sep 2002. See
FindAGrave.
Of Pleasant Hill, LA.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bridges.
Chesser, Robert Lee
Capt. S/N: O-789135. He was with the 15th A.F., 464th Bomb Group (H), 779th Bomb Sqdn (H).
He was command pilot/observer (not the primary pilot) of a B-24 H (S/N: 42-52463) on May 25, 1944 on a bombing run on Givors, France. The plane had left Gioia Air Base, Italy with a crew of 10 and 1 passenger (Chesser).
According to a statement of Gordon A. Mortensen, S Sgt. on another plane:
At about 1355 hours this afternoon we were flying at 15,000 feet 10 miles or so off the French coast. Three fighters attacked Easy box. Two guys bailed out. The plane was under control. Immediately afterwards he peeled to the left and number 3 engine started on fire. He headed towards the French coast losing altitude rapidly. Another plane stood by him for a while. When last seen he was about a mile from shore.
No search was made because the airplane was seen to fall over enemy territory. However, all crew members were marked DED (Declared as Dead). Source: MACR (Missing Air Crew Report): #9645.
Married.
Of Plainfield, N.J.
Curry, James H. (Jim)
Graduated from Turner field (S/N: O-789143). Was assigned to Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, MA after graduation April 29, 1942. According to this
newspaper article, he served 24 months as a pilot and squadron executive officer of the 9th Bomb Group of the 20th and 6th Air Forces in the Pacific and Caribbean. He won the DFC with Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. [Note the article has his graduation date from Turner Field in the wrong year.]
In 1948 he graduated from the University of Maryland and was assigned to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Washington, DC.
Major.
Wife Donna Linker.
Of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Daniel, Victor James Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789146) and was assigned to the Army Air Base in Columbia, SC after graduation. Then he served with the 319th Bomber Grp as pilot of a B-26 Marauder in North Africa.
LT
Ferrara, John Ciro
Prior to service he was attending Northeastern University and was a member of the Massachusetts State Guard. In Sept 1941 he went to Maxwell Field, Ala. for Preflight training. He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789154) and was assigned to Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass immediately after graduation, where he was promoted from 2nd lieutenant to 1st lieutenant.
He was awarded the Air Medal for anti-submarine flights over the Atlantic in 1943 [Source: The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts), 14 Apr 1943, Wed,Page 8.]
Born June 12, 1920. Died Dec. 17, 2008.
See
FindAGrave.
From from Roslindale, Mass. Later of Alexandria, Virginia.
Married Madelyn Houston Boyd Aug 16, 1947 in Newport News, VA.
Hewitt, Henry Baker
S/N O-789164. Henry graduated from Turner Field. He started out flying B-25s on submarine patrols out of Langley Field. He commanded 824th Bomber Squadn out of North Africa; Commanded the 484th Bomber Group out of Italy. He stayed in the Service for a 23 year career, flying more than 150 missions. In 1957-58 he attended the NATO War College in Paris. He was then assigned to command the 589th Missile Group at Hahn Air Force Base in Kloblentz, Germany. He returned to the U.S. and was assigned to the Air Force Research and Development Command in Baltimore and Washington. Awards: Air Force Medal, with six oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross.
Highest rank achieved: Colonel
Wife: Elizabeth Hewitt.
He died Oct. 12, 1992 at Laguna Hills, CA.
Kaye, Duncan Griffith
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789176) and was assigned to Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass immediately after graduation.
He was the pilot in a flying accident in a 7th Air Force B-24D on October 27, 1943
Keane, Alfred E.
Enlisted as Aviation Cadet on January 28, 1942
Born 1915.
Enlisted at Kings County, New York
Kendig, Robert Elwood
Graduated at Turner Field Class of 42D, S/N: O-789177, after which he was sent to Langley Field, VA. This obituary may very likely be his: “He volunteered for aviation training in the Army Air Force in the summer of 1941. He spent the early part of World War II in anti-submarine warfare transferring later to the Eighth Air Force where he completed his tour in heavy bombardment. Immediately after the war, he served in England for two years. Following his return to the United States, he served a tour at the Pentagon and then in the Air Training Command where he was in command of all radio and electronics training for the Air Force. In 1949, he was the first Air Force commander to desegregate his command of over 10, 000 troops, an action that was commended by President Harry Truman. He completed his military service as a Wing Commander and retired in 1962. He then moved to Maryland, where he was employed by the University of Maryland as director of planning for the university system.” See
FindAGrave. He may have been in the 93rd Bomb Group (see
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/188616)
LT
Lampley, James Bratton
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N O-789182) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH immediately after graduation.
He served with the 497th Bomber Grp 871st Bomber Sqdn as pilot of a B-29 Superfortress in the Central Pacific.
Lieutenant then CPT.
His home was Hendersonville, N.C.
His mother reported that James had died about 1954.
Langham, Jr., George Reyer
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789183) and was sent to the Army Air Base in Columbia, SC immediately after graduation.
Theater: European. He was flying transport type aircraft in the European area. During 1944 he was being transferred to the China/ Burma / India Theatre. He was on a ship on his way there when it was torpedoed. He went down with the ship.
Highest rank: Lieutenant.
He was from Nashville, TN.
Leister, Richard Austin
Graduated at Turner Field Class of 42D (S/N: O-789184) and was sent to Langley Field, VA immediately after graduation.
LT.
From DC
S/N: O-789188. Killed during the War in Italy. Flew B-24’s. Distinguished Flying Cross, the Army Air Medal and four oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal. Click his name for more information.
Major
Born Apr. 20,1920. Died Feb. 18, 1945.
From Cleveland, OH
McLaughlin, Milton Neely
Wade Coleman was his Instructor. He was involved in a minor taxi accident with Cadet Schattan in their Stearman PT-17s on November 29, 1941 at Douglas.
He took Basic at Bush Field. Milton graduated from Turner Field in Albany in April 1942 (S/N: O-789190). He then flew submarine patrol from Manchester, N.H. and also from Trinidad, South America. He later checked out on B-24s and B-29s. He then finished his military career in Albuquerque, N.M. as a Capt. instructing in B-29s. As a civilian he became the Postmaster at Cleveland, N.C. where he retired in 1982. We believe he passed away before December 22 1993.
Highest rank achieved: Captain
Born: 1915.
Enlisted: 4 Sep 1941 in North Carolina.
Wife: Dorothy McLaughlin.
He was in the 7th Air Force flying B-25s and flew 50 missions against the Japanese. Click his name for more information.
Born: 16 Mar 1919.
Died: 3 Aug 1998.
Enlisted: 4 Sep 1941 in Pennsylvania.
Wife: Lois Means.
Received the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the American Theater Medal with Battle Star and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 4 Battle Stars. Click his name for more information.
Mitro, Julius
Enlisted in Mercer County, New Jersey
Moore, James B
Theater: Pacific. Highest rank: 1st Lieutenant.He was a Student Officer at Douglas. He washed out and became a Navigator. He served in the Pacific area (Australia).
From Buffalo, NY
Died: Dec. 1985
Moss, Evan Richard
Enlisted: 5 Sep 1941. Evan claims to be the 1st student of the 1st class to sign in at our school at Douglas. Wade Coleman was his Instructor.
Evan graduated at Turner Field as a 2nd Lt. Apr. 29, 1942 (S/N: O-789195) and was sent to the Army Air Base at Columbia, SC immediately after graduation.
Evan flew B-25’s & B-26’s. He was recalled during the Korean War and served at Pepperell Air Force Base, St. Johns, Newfoundland Northeast Air Command. He retired as a Lt. Col. after 27 years active and reserve duty.
Lt. Col.
Birth and death dates: 30 Mar 1919 – 6 Nov 2009
Wife: Carolyn
Flew in anti-submarine patrol for the Eastern seaboard. Click his name for more information.
John Gunnar Persson
Basic was at Augusta, GA. Advanced Training was at Turner Field, Albany, GA.
He was assigned to a newly formed unit, 379th B. S. 310 BG Columbia, SC and qualified as first pilot B-25s. The group was assigned to the 12th Air Force (Tactical) and flew 58 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, including North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France.
He returned to the States and was assigned to Boca Raton Army Air Base, Florida.
He flew B-25s, B-26s, B-17s, and B-24s. He separated from active service Dec. 1945, after attaining the rank of Major USAF (Res).
Highest rank: Major
Wife: Helen Whalley
Prentiss, Richard Burre
Guy Smith was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field (SN: O-789200).
Theater: European
From Missing Air Crew Report 11668:
On Dec. 25, 1944, he was flying an A20J-15 with a crew of 4 when it was hit by flak between the IP and the target near Losheim, Germany. The bomber was part of the 416th Bomb Group-L, 668th Bomb Squadron, IX Bomb Div (M) [9th Air Force]. The left wing came off and the bomber spun end over end to the ground. One parachute was seen at 6-7000 feet, but he was killed in action.
Highest rank: Captain.
From Burlington, VT.
Prokop, Paul J.
Graduated from technical school in November 1942, S/N: O-856619. Served with the 305th Bomber Grp 422nd Bomber Sqdn as ground officer – maybe an aircraft maintenance officer.
CPT
Purdy, Norman Earl
Enlisted: 3 Sep 1941 in Kentucky. Wade Coleman was his instructor. He took Basic at Augusta and Advanced at Turner Field in Albany. He graduated as 2nd Lt (S/N: O-789201).
Then to:
•B-25 school at Mitchell Field, L. I., NY.
•Westover, Mass, to check out on B-24’s and Sub Patrol.
•England Sub Patrol.
•8th Air Force and heavy bombing.
He flew 28 missions, with the last 3 the first daylight missions over Berlin. After “D” Day it was back to the U.S.A. to A.T.C. He left the Service as a Capt. in Aug. 1945. He then was a school teacher, Administrator, School Principal (Elementary and High School) and Supt. of 2 school districts. He was also a 4-H agent. He retired from Education in 1975 and became a full time general farmer.
Born: Oct. 15, 1916 in Ohio
Died: Dec. 12, 2011 in Springdale, Ohio
Wife: Helen
Rex, Edward M
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789202) and was assigned to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation. He became a B-24 pilot assigned to the 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Sqdn based at Sudbury, England. He flew B-17s and B-24s in the European theatre. Flew with his brother, John, on D-Day June 6, 1944 in the first 8th Air Force group over the invasion beaches. He was assigned to his brother John’s crew as command pilot. He sat opposite John, maintained radio contact with the group leader, and checked the squadron’s position in the group. See
more about Edward here.
LT.
Rex, John Leo
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789203) and was assigned to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Sqdn based at Sudbury, England. On D-Day June 6, 1944, John was assigned to lead the top squadron of the 486th Bomb Group. On his final mission, 3 Feb 1945 on B-17 44-8130, his plane was damaged over Berlin; he force landed at Rolozno, Poland, behind Soviet lines. See
more about John here.
Major. Born 1920.
Richmond, George Mount
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789204) and was assigned to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation.
Later he was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 487th Bomb Group 837th Bomb Sqdn based at Lavenham, England. He flew B-17’s and B-24’s. Later he spent several years at the Pentagon.
Major, Highest rank: Colonel.
Of Sun City, AZ.
He was stationed in New Guinea for a 17 month tour. Click his name for more information.
Roberts, John Willard “Jack”
Willie Joe Duke from Texas was his Instructor at Douglas. He remembers that he was the first cadet to complete all three solos required.
The class went to Augusta for Basic. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA. (S/N: O-789206) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation.
Later he was in the 8th Air Force in England. He was a command pilot and operations officer in the 487th Bomber group in Lavenham, England.
He was a Capt and co-pilot of a B-24 (S/N: 42-52763) assigned to the 487th Bomb Group 838th Bomb Sqdn when on the 11th of May 1944, his plane was hit by flak and caught fire. It crash landed, but he and the pilot managed to escape the cockpit and survive. The plane’s gasoline tanks exploded immediately after the crash killing some of the crew. He became a POW imprisoned at Luft-Stalag 3 at Sagan, Germany (#04783).
CPT
Russell, Austin Henderson
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789207) and was assigned to the Army Air Base, Columbia, SC immediately after graduation.
He served with the 341st Bomber Grp 490th Bomber Sqdn as B-25 pilot.
LT
Schattan, Joseph D.
Enlisted 4 Sep 1941. Was involved in a minor taxi accident with Cadet McLaughlin in their Stearman PT-17s on November 29, 1941 at Douglas.
Born 1918 in New York.
Schofield, Harry Jordan
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789209) and was assigned to the Army Air Base, Columbia, SC immediately after graduation.
While serving at the Army Air Base on the Aberdeen (Maryland) Proving Grounds, he was killed in a flying accident on December 11, 1947 near Memphis, TN while piloting a C-47.
CPT
From WV
Schwanbeck, Robert C.
He was a Private Pilot prior to entering the Service.Of Mercer, Pa. Willie Joe Duke was his instructor. He had Basic at Augusta, Advanced at Albany (S/N: O-789210). He was assigned to Mitchel Field, NY immediately after graduation.
He was checked out in B-25’s then B-24’s. He flew 146 missions over Africa & Europe. He was in the Battle of the Dessert, flew over Italy. Then back to the USA Testing B-29’s at Clovis, N.M. He was discharged as a Capt. in Nov. 1945. Then he was production manager for the Dow Jones papers.
He flew 146 missions over Africa & Europe.
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789211) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation. He became a B-24 Pilot in N. Africa. He returned and was transitioned to B-29’s and sent to the Pacific. He was later a B-29 pilot assigned to the 500th Bomb Group 883rd BS based on Saipan. He went to Saipan or Guam and made his tour of missions to Japan. Click his name for more information.
CPT
Shannon, Hansford G.
Inducted into the Army on May 27, 1941. He was in the 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion at Camp Wheeler. He became an Aviation Cadet and was sent to Maxwell Field in Montgomery on September 06, 1941 [Source: The Weekly News (Marksville, Louisiana) 13 Sep 1941, Sat, Page 1].
He became an aerial gunnery instructor in 1944 [Source: The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) 11 Nov 1944, Sat, Page 6].
Born Dec. 13, 1918.
Of Vick, LA
Shaw, Roger Tolles
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789212) and was assigned to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH after graduation. He then was a pilot assigned to the 6th Air Force down in the Caribbean Sea Area.
2LT
In April of 1944 he was sent to India to fly the “Hump”. He did this for 13 months. Click his name for more information.
Sheppick, Donald W.
2nd Lt. S/N: O-808156. On Mar. 11, 1944, he was navigator on a B-24 (S/N: 42-41216) that went down at Hansa Bay, New Guinea. He was killed. (MACR #16272)
Taylor, Jr., Quintard
Quintard Taylor, from Long Island, N.Y. He washed out at Basic, became a Navigator (S/N: O-790188). He was missing in action July 13, 1942. Fellow navigator Charles Wallace said Taylor was lost in the Pacific, flying from a base in South America.
2nd Lt.
Terwilliger, Paul Edwin
Charles Sherrill may have been his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field on Apr. 29, 1942 (S/N: O-789216) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH immediately after graduation.
Theater: Pacific to fly bombers. However he did not go overseas. Most of his flying was done from Florida. After the war he became a pilot for Pan American Airlines. He retired at 60 years of age.
Highest rank: Captain
Died ca. 1987-1988.
Thomas, Homer Earl
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789217) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH immediately after graduation.
Throne, Ernest Stanley
Graduated from the navigator school at Mather Field. Served with the 96th Bomber Grp 337th Bomber Sqdn as B-17 navigator and was killed in a flying accident on January 29, 1945 in England.
1LT
From OH
Tower, Harold E.
Enlisted September 04, 1941.
Born 1919 in Calif.
Lived in Franklin County, New York
Valentine, Robert Frank
From Huntington, L. I., N.Y. Willie Joe Duke was his instructor. He took basic at Augusta, Advanced at Albany Graduated 2nd Lt (S/N: O-789218). Then to Mitchel Field for Anti-Sub Patrol in B-25s. He also flew from Dover, Del. and Ft. Dix, N.J. Then into a Training Squadron in Hawaii for 6 months. Next on to Saipan to bomb Iwo Jima. Then back to a Maint. school at Chanute, IL. He was discharged as a Capt. in Sept. 1945. (Later became American Airlines Overseas). This then merged with Pan American. He retired in 1979 as a Capt on 747‘s. He was also an Instructor and check pilot on 707’s.
Highest rank: Captain
Wife: Virginia
He washed out at Douglas. Went on to navigation school and served in Africa and Italy. Click his name for more information.
Ware, John Fowler
Was in the European theater. John had Basic at Bush Field and graduated from Turner Field (S/N O-789221) and was assigned to Mitchel Field, NY immediately after graduation.
He spent 2 years on anti-submarine patrol up and down the east coast of the US. They flew Lockheed Hudsons and later B-24’s. Next he was sent to the 474th Bomb Grp. On his last run his aircraft was hit and they landed in Turkey. He resided there for weeks before being released. Highest rank: Captain. After the war he was in Inventory and Production Control and later in Air Traffic Control.
Wife: Elsa Ware
of Keene, NH.
Waters, Raymond Oliver
His instructor at Douglas was Charlie Eberhardt. He went to Basic in Augusta and graduated from Advance at Turner Field (Albany) as 2nd Lt. (S/N: O-789222). He remained at Turner Field as an Advanced instructor, teaching AT-9, AT-6, AT-17 and AT-10s. After one year he went to Smyrna, Tenn. where he transitioned to B-24s. From Oct 1943 – Feb 1946, he was at Maxwell Field where he instructed B-24s and B-29s. He was transferred to Robins Field, GA with B-29s (1946), Guam with B-29s (March 1947), and Johnson Field, Japan with B-29s and C-24s. He was discharged Oct. 1947.
Highest rank: Colonel
Wife: Mary Aultman Waters
He went to the Medical College of Georgia to become a physician, and then returned to the service as flight surgeon and later as an Eye, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialist. He continued to fly as part of his service and retired in the 1960s with over 5000 flying hours.
Watson, Hughie Tom
Enlisted from MacDill Field Florida, 09-04-1941.
He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789223) and was assigned to the Army Air Base, Columbia, SC immediately after graduation.
Born Oct 3, 1914 in Georgia.
Died March 21, 1993 in Florida.
Had a Bachelor of Laws from John B. Stetson University before enlisting.
Wilson, Ray Jr.
Enlisted September 02, 1941. He graduated from Turner Field (S/N: O-789224) and was sent to Grenier Field, Manchester, NH. Then he was a pilot assigned to the 6th Air Force down in the Caribbean Sea Area.
2LT
Born 1918 in Michigan.
From Union County, New Jersey
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