Class 1943-A – World War II Flight Training Museum and the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Home >
Cadets > Class 1943-A
(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers Jan. 13, 1943)
Aebischer, Fritz
Graduated from George Air Field, IL. S/N: O-796356. He was a B-17 pilot serving with the 301st Bomb Grp 419th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater.
Of Huntington, N.Y.
Anderson, Alan Siguard
John Fradel was his instructor. He graduated George Field, IL. S/N: O-795474. He was flying a B-25 (S/N: 41-30185) serving with the 345th Bomb Grp 499th Bomb Sqdn when his plane had a malfunction or was hit over New Guinea. The plane rolled over and crashed, killing all 6 crew members on board on March 19, 1944 (MACR #6734).
Anderson, Harold Raymond
John Fradel was his Instructor. He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-795516. He was a B-25 co-pilot training with the 334th Bomb Grp 470th Bomb Sqdn flying in the South Carolina Area of the USA and was Killed In a Flying Accident on June 23, 1943 near Nesmith, SC.
Anderson, Joseph William “Andy”
Warney Crosby was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Greenville and Advanced at George Field, IL. S/N: O-796751. He was with the 5th A.F. flying B-25’s during WWII. He had a 33 year career in the Air Force.
Anderson, Ralph Herman
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796752.
Of Woden, Iowa.
Antley, Harvey Edward
John Fradol was his instructor. He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796753.
Atkinson, George
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796757. He was in the 6th A.F. in England flying over France and Germany. Afterward he attended Law School. He practiced law for 2 years. Next he started a cotton cleaning and processing factory in Memphis, TN. He became a well known and respected millionaire, giving a great deal to the Christian Athletes.
Autrey, Marius M.
While at Douglas, he had a landing accident (ground loop), in PT-17, 41-25335.He graduated - S/N: O-795881. He was a transport plane pilot serving with the Air Transport Command based at Jorhat, India flying supply missions over the southern Himalayas into China.
LT
From AL
Bailey, Thomas E.
S/N: O-795883. He retired disabled on Sept. 26, 1944
1LT
Baker, Robert Kingsley
He graduated from George Field, IL, S/N: O-796759. He was a B-24 pilot serving with the 451st BG, 725th BS, flying missions from the Mediterranean Theater. On October 13, 1944, he was pilot of B-24J (S/N: 42-51764 with a crew of 10 on a mission to Vienna, Austria. Upon reaching the target, his plane was hit by flak and 2 engines burst into flame. He and some of the crew were able to bail out before the plane exploded (MACR #9047). He became a Prisoner Of War in Luft-Stalag 1.
1LT
Of DeMoines, Iowa.
Bamberg, Tony Owen
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796762. He was a Squadron Leader. He was in the 487th Bomb Group. He was a co-pilot on a B-17 and was shot down by flak while over Hof, Germany on April 8, 1945 (MACR #13742). He is buried with his crew at the Jefferson Barracks, in St. Louis, MO.
lst Lt.
of LeMars, Iowa.
Baron, Michael R.
Delayed to 43B. May have washed out, possibly was a Navigator-Observer.
Bateman Jack H.
He was delayed to Class 43B in Basic at Greenville. He graduated from Napier. He served on an Air Rescue Squadron, 65th Fighter Wing located at Boxted, England flying P-47s. He is personally credited with saving 29 airmen's lives. He retired as a Lt. Col. in 1966.
Click here to read his bio (PDF).
Born Aug. 6, 1920
Wife: Margrette Bateman
Of Stone Mountain, Ga.
Beattie, Garnett Steele
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796764. He was sent to fly the "Hump”. He was killed just 9 days after getting there. He received the Purple Heart.
of Starkville, Miss.
Berry, Buford E.
Was delayed to class 43B, He had basic at Greenville, Ms
Blum, David
He was a bombardier instructor based at Victorville Army Air Field in California (
click here for a picture of him as instructor.) He graduated with the Class of 43-02 at Victorville.
2LT
Boeke, Carlous James
S/N: O-795893 was attending Instructor training at Maxwell Field and was killed in a mid-air collision accident while piloting a BT-13A on February 5, 1943.
2LT
From MN
Bostock, Andrew Milton "Andy"
He was a pilot with the North Atlantic Wing of the ATC and MATS in the late 1940's, at one time seen at Westover AFB, MA, and then he served in the Korean War.
LTC
From MA
Braun, Leo Bernard
Leo Bernard Braun, Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796771. He was with the 38th Bomb Gp, 823 Bomb Sqdn. He was the pilot of a B-25-D (S/N: 42-67286) and in a crew of 6 with the intended destination of Uligan Harbor, New Guinea in the S.W. Pacific on Jan. 8, 1944. The plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a run on the target. The right engine burst into flame, enveloping the entire plane in flames within 15 minutes. The plane crashed in an area occupied by the Japanese and was found in May 1946 as a complete wreck and widely scattered. There were no survivors.
Canter, Manuel (nmi)
He graduated as a navigator/bombardier with the Class of 43-02 at Roswell, New Mexico on 01/28/43, S/N: O-728629. He was a B-17 navigator/bombardier serving with the 91st Bomb Grp 322nd Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the European Theater. On June 21, 1944 he was navigator in a B-17 (S/N: 43-37626) in a mission to Berlin, Germany when it was hit by enemy fire in the left wing; it caught fire. He and some other members of the crew bailed out, and he became a Prisoner Of War in Luft-Stalag 1 on June 21, 1944. He was injured with a right foot fracture and hurt fingers (MACR #5979).
1LT
From MI
Wife: Mary Canter
Cobane, William E.
He graduated as a bombardier with the Class of 43-01 from Victorville Army Air Field, California on January 7, 1943, S/N: O-735857. He was a B-24 bombardier serving with the 44th Bomb Grp 66th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the European Theater and was Killed In Action on March 27, 1944.
1LT
From MI
Cohen, Bensen L.
A navigator who graduated with the Class of 43-04 from Selman Army Air Field, Louisiana on March 20, 1943.
Connelly, Francis R.
Washed out at Douglas.
Courtney, Marcus Vincent
He graduated from George Field, IL. SN: O-796782. He was a B-24 pilot serving with the 389th Bomb Grp 566th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the European Theater. On June 6, 1944 in the Normandy Invasion, he was pilot of a B-24 (S/N: 44-40247) when it crashed in England (initial cause unknown). He and the other 9 crew members were Killed In Action (MACR #7020).
1LT
Of Charlotte, N.C.
Crosswait, Robert Lockerbie
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796783. He was with the 5th Fighter Command, 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Sqdn. On June 30, 1944, he flew a P-38 J-10 (S/N: 42-67793) on a glide bomb mission on Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, S. Pacific and was lost.
Click here to read more.
1st Lt.
of Woonsocket, S.D. in 1942.
Cummings, Stephen Bur
Graduated George Field, IL. S/N: O-796785. He was based at Tonopah Army Air Field in Nevada in 1945.
In 1946, he was stationed in Hamilton Fld, CA, where he had a flying accident which involved a crash landing. Also in March 1946, he was in command of a rescue squad out of Hamilton Field when a C-47 crashed north of Lake Tahoe [The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah), 20 Mar 1946, Page 1].
LT
Of Bimidji, NY.
Cunningham, Thomas D.
He had Basic at Greenville, MS.
Davison, William Ryan
Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796789. He was a B-25 pilot serving with the 321st Bomb Grp 446th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from the Mediterranean Theater.
LT
Of Detroit, MI.
Demay, Kenneth Clyde
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796790. He was with the 12th A.F., 321st (M) Bomber Group, 447th (M) Bomb Sqdn. On Feb. 19, 1944, he was flying a B-25C (S/N: 41-29775) from Vincenze Airdrome, Italy to Gaudo Airdrome, in southern Italy, in a Ferrying mission. He was last seen in heavy clouds making a diving left turn. The plane went missing. The cause of disappearance or crash is not known. Served in Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Awarded DFC, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters. See
http://57thbombwing.com/
Capt.
Born 7 Mar 1916.
Of Harrisburg, PA. Son of Harvey D Demay and Ida A Demay.
Ref. MACR #2610
Buried Plot: E, 103-104, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Devlin, Harry W.
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796791. He was a B-25 pilot serving with the 42nd Bomb Grp 70th Bomb Sqdn "The Crusaders" flying missions in the Southern Pacific.
http://harrydole.com/42nd/Chapter%2018/ . Afterward he was in the Insurance Business.
Capt.
He died in Feb. 1976.
of Pittsburgh, PA.
Dunlap, Edward L.
LT
from OH
DuRocher, Charles Jack
He graduated from a navigator school in the Class of 43-07 at Selman Field located near Monroe, LA on May 22, 1943, S/N: O-803119. He retired from the USAF in August 1965.
1LT
From NY
Eastment, Norton D.
Charles Porter was his Instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Greenville and graduated from George Field, IL. He was an instructor pilot at Cochran Field Basic Flying School in May 1943. Later became a Pilot for Pan American Airlines.
Major
Wife: Beverly Eastment
Of Fallbrook, CA.
Egan, Robert Lane
He had Basic at Greenville, Miss. and graduated from George Field, IL. and went into B-24's. He served in the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group in England for 25 missions. He returned to Langley Field in Va to do radar training. He was discharged as a Capt. in Dec. 1945. Then worked in a V.A. office for 5 years.
Capt.
Wife: Rose Egan
Of Minneapolis, MN.
Eigher, Joseph Hugo Jr.
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796798. He served in Europe during WWII. He also flew in the Berlin Air Lift. He completed his career in the Air Force in Great Falls. He retired as a Major USAF on January 11, 1962.
Major
of Great Falls, Mont.
He died in 1968.
Erb, Robert L.
He graduated from the navigator school at Selman Field in the Class of 43-03 on February 27, 1943, S/N: O-798773. He was B-24 navigator serving with the 98th Bomb Grp 345th BS. On September 3, 1943 he was navigator in a B-24 in a mission on the railroad yards in Sulmona, Italy. The plane took a direct hit and he bailed out (MACR #464). He became a POW in Luft Stalag 1.
2LT
From PA
Erricson, Howard (nmi)
He graduated from the bombardier school at Kirtland Field in the Class of 43-04 on March 11, 1943, S/N: O-739417. He served with the 95th Bomb Grp 412th BS. On April 29, 1944, he was a B-17G (S/N: 42-31320) bombardier on a mission to Berlin. His plane was hit by flak and he bailed out (MACR #4469). He became a POW in Luft Stalag 3.
1LT
from IA
Erum, Russell Norman
Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796800. He was a B-25 pilot serving with the 345th Bomb Grp 499th BS. On March 26, 1944 he was pilot of a B-25D that was on a local transition flight in the South-West Pacific Area and failed to return to base as expected. He went Missing In Action and was later declared dead (MACR #4496).
2nd Lt
Of Minneapolis, MN
Evans, Richard Morgan
Went to Greenville, Mississippi for Basic. Graduated from George Field, Lawrenceville, IL. S/N: O-796802.
Assigned to 309th Bomb Group, 377 Bomb Group Columbia Army Air Base, SC in January 1943. In May 1943, he was assigned to the 12th Bomb Group (M), 83rd Bomb Sqdn flying B-25s, was transferred to the European / African / Middle Eastern Theater of Operations and was assigned to Hergla, Tunisia for training. Flew his first mission on July 5, 1943.
On July 17, flew to Ponte Olivo, Sicily to pick up Brig. Gen. George Patton and Brig. Gen. Albert Wedemeyer and fly them to Tunis for a conference with General Alexander, and returned them the same day.
He flew combat missions out of Hergla until Aug 4, when he began flying combat missions out of Ponte Olivo. In September the squadron flew out of Gerbini. In November, the squadron flew out of Foggia, Italy. He completed his 50th combat mission on Nov. 24, 1943.
Returned to U.S. on Feb. 19, 1944.
In April 1944 he was assigned to the 378th Bomb Sqdn at Columbia Army Air Base. He became an instructor assigned to the 329th AAF Base Unit, Section T. Transferred to California and flew in a variety of planes: B-25, C-45, C-47, P-38, P-51, P-63, AT-6, P-40. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Fairbairn, David Mcdonald
Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796803. He was an instructor pilot at Freeman Field Advanced Flying School (Two-Engine) near Seymour, IN in May 1944.
1LT
Of Chicago, IL.
Fedge, William
He became a navigator, S/N: O-798776. He was in 98th Bomb Gp. On Feb. 25, 1944 he was on a mission to Regensburg, Germany in a B-24J (S/N: 42-100266). After dropping the bombs, his plane was hit by flak. The crew bailed out and he became a P.O.W. at Stalag Luft 1 Barth.
1st Lt.
Feltenstein, Harry D.
He was a B-24 pilot with the 450th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force in Italy. He flew 25 combat missions including the air raids on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. At the end of the war he was an intelligence officer at the 15th Air Force headquarters.
Captain.
Born Feb. 9, 1920 in Springfield, IL.
Died Jan. 2, 2005
(See
Find-A-Grave)
Fenton, George Edward
Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796804.
Of Mauch Chunk, PA.
Flatt, Samuel
S/N: O-795929. He was a P-47 pilot serving with the 355th FG 358th FS flying his missions from England into the European Theater.
2LT
From NY
Fletcher, Robert Elliot
Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796806. He was a B-24 pilot serving with the 389th Bomb Grp 578th Bomb Sqdn flying his missions from England into the European Theater. For pictures and more info, see
http://www.b24.net/aircrew/fnames.html
Of Glendale, CA.
Fluck, Guy Brallier
Basic at Greenville, Graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796807. He was a transport pilot serving with the Air Transport Command based at Jorhat, India and was flying supplies over the "Low Hump" -- the Southern end of the Himalayan Mountains and into China.
Served after the War in Korea and Vietnam. See
Find-A-Grave.
Of Hemet, CA.
Born Nov. 28, 1921
Died Apr. 7, 2005
Fravil, Jules G.
Born 1919, Illinois
Frazier, Lyall L.
S/N: O-795932. He was a P-47 pilot based at Dover Army Air Field near Dover, Delaware in December 1944 and most likely a test pilot with the Air Technical Service Command in its experimental projects office. In 1944 the Air Technical Service Command chose Dover as a site to engineer, develop, and conduct classified air-launched rocket tests.
The information collected during these experiments resulted in the effective deployment of air-to-surface rockets in both the European and Pacific combat theaters.
LT
Fulkerson, Leo Elmore
He had Basic at Greenville and graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796809. He was assigned to Ft. Myers, FL. flying AT-6’s with gunnery students. He was also checked out in B-24’s and B-29’s. His crew was assembled, but the war was over and he did not go overseas.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Freddie Fulkerson
Of Arcade, N.Y.
Gadd, Richard Vincent
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796810. He was a B-25 pilot serving with the 42nd Bomb Grp aka "The Crusaders" flying his missions in the Southwest Pacific Area, including New Guinea (
http://harrydole.com/42nd/Chapter%2016/)
He returned to be a veterinarian for a couple of years. Then he was in sales management positions in Birmingham, Atlanta and Houston, TX.
1LT
of Ft. Dodge, Iowa in 1942.
He died while in Houston about 1987.
Garbarino, Joseph Aatilio
He was in the 10th A.F., 33rd Fighter Group, 58th Fighter Sqdn. He was killed flying a P-47D (S/N: 42-25383) on a mission at Male, Burma on Nov. 15, 1944. His plane was hit by Lt. Billy T. Davis' plane, and both planes crashed.
Click here to read the details.
1st Lt. S/N: O-795587.
From New York
Gildea, John Joseph
Graduated George Field, IL. S/N: O-796611. He was the pilot of a B-24D (S/N: 42-40630) assigned to the ATC base at Jorhat, India, and on February 5, 1944 he and his crew were forced to bail out of this plane near Fort Hertz in Burma and safely walked to the fort (MACR #02314). He also served in Korea (See
Find-A-Grave for pix).
He was a corporate pilot for a Steel Co.
Maj.
Of Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Born Nov. 24, 1915
Died Jul. 26, 2001
Buried Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Oregon
Gile, Richard Merritt
CPT
Of Buffalo, N.Y.
Giovanangelo, Leo D.
He fought in the Philippines with the Army Air Forces.
Please note that the cadet yearbook had incorrect names on some of the cadets' pictures. We are not sure if this is his picture.
Gohman, Harold Robert
S/N: O-795589. He was in the 12th A.F., 57th Fighter Group, 65th Fighter sqdrn. Categorized as "DNB" (Did not die in battle). He was killed bailing out from a captured German fighter (a Messerschmitt Bf 109, more commonly called Me-109) at Amendola, Italy.
1st Lt.
From Minnesota
Born Dec 29, 1919. Died Jan 12, 1944
Buried Fort Snelling National Cem., Minneapolis, MN
Helgeberg, R. A.
This may be Richard A. Hagelberg who went on to become a bombardier, although Richard A. Hagelberg obtained some of his preflight training in California, which would not be typical of a Douglas, GA cadet [Source:
The Bennington Evening Banner (Bennington, Vermont) 11 Mar 1943, Thu, Page 1.]
If this is the same one, he is described as from Arlington, VT, flying in B-26s over Belgium [Source: Burlington Daily News (Burlington, Vermont), 12 May 1944, Fri, Page 2].
His obituary described him as one of the first two Arlington, VT boys to enter the service in WWII. He was in the 9th AF, 456 Bomb Sqdn, 323 Bomb Group and is said to have been awarded an air medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. He was born April 3, 1919 and died Feb. 26, 1992. He is said to have posed with his mother for a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Post in November 1945 [Source: Bennington Banner (Bennington, Vermont), 27 Feb 1992, Thu, Page 16].
Please note that the cadet yearbook had incorrect names on some of the cadets' pictures. We are not sure if this is his picture.
Hickson, John J.
He was a navigator who graduated with the Class of 43-03 at Selman Field located near Monroe, LA on February 27, 1943, S/N: O-798805?.
Based on a newspaper article, he may have become an instructor of navigation at San Marcos, TX. and may have been from Charlestown, MA [Source: The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts), 21 Jul 1944, Fri, Page 12].
LT
Please note that the cadet yearbook had incorrect names on some of the cadets' pictures. We are not sure if this is his picture.
Jones, Jack Sturges
S/N: O-796829. He was a B-26 pilot serving with the 391st Bomb Grp 573rd Bomb Sqdn flying his missions over the European Theater.
2LT
of Atlanta, GA.
Jones, Macleod
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796830. Was in the 431st Fighter Sqdn, 475th Fighter Group. Was killed Jan. 21, 1944 while a passenger in a B-25G (S/N: 42-64807) flying from Durand Field, Port Moresby, New Guinea to Dobodura, New Guinea on an administrative flight. There were reports of hearing a twin engine plane and an explosion, but even after a very extensive search, no wreckage was found.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Shirley A. Jones
Of Minneapolis, MN.
Jung, Elmor Walter
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796831. He had 5 years of active service including flying over the “Hump”. Then a career in the reserve.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Clara Jung,
Of Madison, S.D.
Kelly, Jack S.
He graduated from Marianne AAFd with the class of 43A, S/N: O-795973. He was a C-46 pilot serving with the Air Transport Command based at Chabua, India and was flying supplies over the Southern end of the Himalayan Mountains and into China. He was MIA on September 1, 1944. The wreckage of the plane was found 16-1/2 miles SE of Tinkawk Sakan (MACR #07985).
2LT
From IA
Kempter, Don Sidney
Wayne North was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796835. He flew in North Africa, the C.B.I. over the “Hump" and the Berlin Airlift, for a 22 1/2 year career, retiring in 1963.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Barbara Kempter
Of Maubay, S.D.
Died Feb. 16, 1993
Kenney, Paul H.
He graduated from the flying school at Marianne AAFd, FL. S/N: O-795974. He was a P-47 fighter pilot serving with the 355th FG 358th FS flying missions in Europe. On April 15, 1944 he was flying a P-51D (S/N: 43-6925) when it was hit by flak on a mission over Wittstock field, Germany. He became a POW (MACR #4068). He is credited with two aerial victories.
1LT
From MA
Killian, Harold John “Buster”
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796838. He was a B-24 bomber pilot serving with the 93rd Bomb Grp 328th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. His plane made a crash landing during a mission to Brunswick, Germany, and he and his crew became interned in Switzerland on January 30, 1944 (MACR #2341). His plane was named "Sunday Girl".
1LT
Of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Kittelson, Clarence Burnell
He served in the So. Pacific with the 13th A.F. He returned to be a farmer. He also operated an airport and was in the field tilling business.
1st Lt.
Of Clermont, Iowa
August 1915-January 2003
Kranz, Edgar L.
He graduated from the flying school at Marianne AAFd, FL, S/N: O-795979
Lappas, Charles
He graduated from the officers' candidate school at Miami Beach AAB, FL. with the Class of 43C on April 16, 1943, S/N: O-578270. He was trained to do administrative duties.He apparently served as the Civil Defense Training Officer for Massachusetts in the 1950's.
LT
From MA
Larsen/Larson, Carl H.
He was in the 9th AF, 389 Bomb Group, 566 Bomb Sqdn. On Aug. 1, 1943, he was co-pilot on a B24-D (S/N: 42-40115 "The Boomerang") leaving from Benghazi with a target of Campina, Rumania (Ploesti Oil Fields). Upon returning from the Ploesti raids, at 80 SSW of Campina, the ship caught fire from a blaze that started after an explosion (MACR #159). The entire crew survived, with most of the crew, including Larson, becoming POWs.
Lowenthal, Samuel Sinclair
2LT
From Pittsburgh, PA
Born Aug. 18, 1916
Died Jan. 7, 2001
in Phoenix, AZ
See
Find-a-Grave.
Manning, Ralph Parker
He graduated from George Field, S/N: O-796646. He was a B-24 bomber pilot serving with the 489th Bomb Grp 847th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England with the Eighth Air Force.
LT
Of Patchogue, L.I., N.Y.
McGuire, Robert Albert Jr.
Graduated from George Field, S/N: O-796650. He was a B-17 bomber pilot serving with the 390th Bomb Grp 570th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England with the Eighth Air Force. His B-17 was named "Cash & Carry" and was shot down near Munster, Germany on October 10, 1943, and he became a POW (MACR #860).
Of Lamar, Ark.
Mullin, Daniel J.
Cadle was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Greenville arid graduated from Blytheville AA Field, Ark. in class of 43B. He was with the 98th Bomb Group in Benghazi, Libya flying B-24’s and flew in the Ploesti "Low Level" mission on 8/1/1943. He flew a total of 33 missions in Sicily, Italy, Crete, Cypress and Yugoslavia. Then instructed in B-24's and B-29’s in the U.S.
Neft, Edward Isadore
S/N: O-800390. He was with the 388th Bomb Group, 563rd Sqdrn. On Jan. 29, 1944, he was a co-pilot flying a B-17 (S/N: 42-3285) on his 15th mission with the target of Frankfurt, Germany. They had just left the target when they were hit. All members parachuted, but two broke their legs on landing (MACR #2349). He was a P.O.W. in Stalag Luft #1, Barth, Germany.
1st Lt.
Born Mar. 25, 1915
See also
Fold3.com
Oliverio, William James
He was trained in B-17’s at Sebring, FL. He served in the 92nd Bomb Group, 8th A.F. in England. He flew 25 missions. As a civilian he has been a Civil Engineer. Mildred was a Flight Nurse during the War.
Capt.
Postel, George Washington
He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796876. He was a B-25 bomber pilot serving with the 42nd Bomb Grp 69th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the South Pacific and became MIA on October 10, 1943 and was never recovered (#786).
2LT
of Palisade, N.J.
Quick, Morris Lee Jr.
Sponsler was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796878. He then instructed at Blytheville AA Field, Ark. in AT-6, AT-9 and AT-10's. Then he was in A.T.C. flying Air Rescue in Canada and Alaska for the rest of WWII. He also served in Vietnam.
Ray, Gerald Harmon
He was a A-36 fighter-bomber pilot serving with the 86th FG 526th FS flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater. Distinguished Flying Cross.
Reid, Stalie Cecil Jr.
Went to Basic at Greenville and George Army Air Corps Field, IL. for Advanced, S/N: O-796884. He was assigned to Bombers and Anti-Sub Patrol in the South American area. Then he had further training in Florida, Iowa and Utah. Next it was England. He was a B-24 bomber pilot serving with the 467th Bomb Grp 791st Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England with the Eighth Air Force and was KIA on April 22, 1944 while returning from a mission.
Shoop, Earl William "Bill"
S/N: O-796894. He was a B-26 bomber pilot serving with the 322nd Bomb Grp 449th Bomb Sqdn and was flying to England under ATC control to serve with the Eighth Air Force and was Killed in a Flying Accident (KIFA) near Saint David's Head, Wales on June 4, 1943.
2LT
From PA
Silver, Michael Theodore “Ted”
S/N: O-795654. "Buddy" Hasell was his Instructor. He was with the 12th A.F., 57th Fighter Group, 65th Fighter Sqdn. He was killed flying out of Amendola, Italy in a P-40F-100U (S/N: 41-14578) on a dive bombing / strafing mission on Matkovia (?), Yugoslavia on Nov. 6, 1943. Witnesses stated that after hitting the target, his aircraft, or possibly another one, did a terrific snap roll to avoid buildings that was so violent that the pilot was apparently unable to stop it and went into a stall. Or the pilot was hit by ack-ack, thereby losing control of the aircraft. (MACR #1135)
Skinner, William John
Charles Sherrill was his Instructor. He had Basic at Greenville, Advanced at Craig Field. Then went to N. Africa flying Spitfires. Then on to Italy. He flew 155 missions and was credited with 3 Me 109’s destroyed. After the war he flew for Pan American Airlines from 1945 and retired from them in 1978.
Click here to read his bio and see him with his Spitfire (a PDF).
Born July 11, 1918, Springfield, Mass.
Wife: Delores Skinner
Of Boonton, N.J. and Surf City, N.J.
Smith, Raymond Thomas
He went to Greenville army airfield, Greenville, Miss. for Basic training. On Jan. 14, 1943, he graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796897.
Smyrl, James Arthur "Jimmy"
He graduated from George Field, S/N: O-796898. He flew B-17’s with the 8th A.F. (England) 92nd Bomb Group and was commanding officer of the 327th Bomb Sqdn. He was recalled for the Berlin Air Lift. He stayed in the Service and made a full career of it.
Col.
Wife: Nancy Smyrl
Rockport, ME
Stainton, Robert Starr III
Emmett was his instructor at Douglas. After Emmett's death Robert was assigned another instructor. He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796899. He served in the USA as an instructor. He flew AT-6, AT-9, & AT-10’s Also B-26's and B-29's.
Capt.
Wife: Molly Stainton
Of West Chester, PA.
Storey, John Russell
Charles Sherrill was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796908. He was a B-26 bomber pilot serving with the 386th Bomb Grp 555th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England with the Ninth Air Force and was KIA on March 16, 1944. It is believed he was killed in a mid-air collision on an approach to a landing.
2LT
from Uxbridge, MA.
Sullivan, John Cecil
Charles Sherrill was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated with the class of 1943-D (S/N: O-801347). He was sent as an instructor to Gunter Field, Alabama, Spence Field, GA and to Melville, NJ before volunteering for overseas service. He went overseas in February, 1945.
He served with the 404th Fighter Group, 506th Fighter Squadron flying ground attack over France, Belguim, and Germany. He flew ten missions in P-47 Thunderbolts prior to being Killed In Action on the 21st of March 1945 (MACR #13231).
Taylor, James Gordon
He had graduated with the Class of 42-17 in Selman Field on December 12, 1943, S/N: O-795313. He was a B-24 bomber navigator serving with the 98th Bomb Grp 344th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater with the Ninth Air Force and went Missing In Action / killed in action during the famous August 1, 1943 raid on Ploesti, Romania.
2LT
From IL
Von Holzhausen, Thomas (nmi)
He graduated from the flying school at Marianne AAFd, FL, S/N: O-796049. He was a P-47 fighter-bomber pilot serving with the 356th FG 361st FS flying missions from England with the Ninth Air Force and went MIA on February 21, 1944. The Germans reported that he had been shot down (MACR #2674).
1LT
From MA.
Wadsworth, Sherwood Reilly "Waddy" "Sherman"
Roy Windsom was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796919. He served in the S. Pacific, including New Guinea.
Click here for his military career (a PDF).
Capt.
Wife: Carolyn Wadsworth
Of Sea Island, GA.
Watkins, Harry Nathaniel
Roy Windom was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796921. He became a B-25 pilot. He had a serious mid-air collision in Australia and was the only survivor, with many injuries. However he was back flying in about 2 years. Afterward he became a “Human Engineer,” in other words a Doctor.
Major
Wife: Laverne Watkins
Of Witchita Falls, Texas.
Watson, John Blair Jr.
Col.
Of Hanover, N.H.
He died on Mar. 26, 1991.
Way, Charles Lewis
He had Basic at Greenville, Ms. He was a F-10 Mitchell recon pilot serving with the 69th PRG 101st PRS flying training missions in the USA and was killed in flying accident near Alexandria, Louisiana on July 31, 1944.
2LT
From MI
Wear, George McSween
LT
of Columbia, LA.
Weisman, Morey
Graduated from George Field, IL, S/N: O-796924. He became a B-25 instructor. In 1945 he was pilot of a C-45 used to cut the ribbon of the new Westchester County Airport. See the newspaper picture
here and the article
here. He returned to New York and the textile business.
Born Oct 24, 1916
Died Sep 21, 2003
Westrom, Clifford Morgan
He graduated Jan. 13, 1943 from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-796925. He went to B-24 transition school and then to north Africa. He transferred from 44th Bomb Group to the 93rd Bomb Group on orders dated 1 September 1943. He flew several missions but his plane was badly damaged by fighters as he flew back to base. With two engines out on the same side, he made a forced landing in the desert with severe damage to the plane and many injuries to the crew. He was hospitalized for about a year and retired with a medical disability. He was never quite the same after that and died May, 1969 at 51 years old.
1st Lt.
of Jamestown, NY.
He was best man at the wedding of Morris Quick, who supplied some of his service info. Death date was obtained through web search.
Whitbeck, William B.
Enlisted 27 Jan 1942. Released 26 Dec 1946.
Born Sept 14, 1915
Died June 18, 1987
From Virginia.
See
FindAGrave
Wickert, William George
He had Basic at Greenville, Miss, and Advanced at George Field, IL. He flew with A.T.C. which included flying the “Hump”. He also served in the Korean War. Then after the war He was a Pilot for National Airlines.
Wife: Betty Wickert
Of New Britain, Conn.
Wiesmann, Ernest J.
He was in Basic at Greenville, Miss, when he had a mid air collision with Lt. J. H. Williams (Student Officer at Douglas 42K.). It was at night in the pattern. Both were killed.
Buried in Highland Cemetery, Norwood, MA.
Williams, Anderson Fairfax
Of Ashland, KY.
Winterbottom, George Charles
Ray Murray was his Douglas instructor, and his was Ray’s 1st class. George graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-796933. He served in the United States flying B-26's but suffered with a back problem and stopped flying.
Woertz, Jack J.
Ray Murray was his instructor at Douglas. S/N: O-796053. He was a P-47 pilot assigned to the 355th FG 358th FS flying missions in the European Theater, when on December 11, 1943 he was killed in a flying accident at Steeple Morden in England.
Click here for a group picture.
1LT
From Philadelphia County, PA
Wood, C. F., Jr.
Ray Murray was his instructor.
Woodward, Stuart W.
Ray Murray was his instructor. He completed Primary. He was a pilot in the 127th Liaison Squadron based Statesboro AAFd in Georgia and was killed in a landing accident in a Piper L-4A on January 23, 1944.
Wylie, Haig Pershing
He graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-795492. He was a B-25D co-pilot assigned to the 309th Bomb Grp 426th Bomb Sqdn flying training missions in the USA, when on March 24, 1943 he was killed in a flying accident while enroute from Columbia, SC to Savannah, GA.
Yoder, Harry David
He had basic at Greenville, Ms. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 376th Bomb Grp 513th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater and later with the 44th Bomb Grp 66th Bomb Sqdn flying from England. From
FindAGrave: After serving in the then Army Air Corps as a B-24 Bomber Pilot in WW II, flying in the most fierce of circumstances: raids on the Ploesti Oil fields of Europe and two missions on D-Day, Colonel Yoder serviced our country for 30 years, piloting during the Berlin Airlift and flying the United States Secretary of War and also the Peace Team to Japan for the official treaty signing only after hostilities ceased in the Pacific. He served at our nation's Pentagon in the District of Columbia, serving on the joint Chiefs of Staff. His many awards included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Col.
From Berks County, PA
Born Nov. 20, 1915
Died May 8, 2011
Zitreen, Norman
Enlisted 22 Jan 1942.
Born 1918
From Queens, NY
© 2023 Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc., a non-profit organization
.jpg)
