Class 1943-C – World War II Flight Training Museum and the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
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Cadets > Class 1943-C
(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers March 3, 1943)
Abel, Alexander
He had basic at Gunter.
Angevine, Frank W.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. Rufus Rundlett was his instructor at Douglas. Angevine was shot down while over Italy and became a prisoner of war.
Click here for more info.
Appel, Harry
He had basic at Gunter.
Arango, Douglas
Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas S/N: O-799306. He was assigned to the Air Service Command at Warner Robins, Ga.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Born 1922 in New York
Barks, Arthur Edwin
S/N: O-687923. He was a B-24 navigator assigned to the 455th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England and went missing in action in the North Sea on December 22, 1943. According to
http://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/american-war-cemetery-margraten-b/46497-barks-arthur-e, he was painfully and mortally wounded and stayed at his post long enough to chart a course to their air base at Tibbenham, Norfolk, England. The plane was losing altitude rapidly and the crew members had to lighten the load. They jettisoned his body into the North Sea. The crew felt certain he would have wanted it that way and felt that in life and death he had saved their lives. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross.
2LT
Born 1915
From Providence County, RI
Memorialized in the American War Cemetery Netherlands in Margratan, Netherlands.
Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
Bastian, Frank George
Elkins Park, PA. He had basic at Gunter. Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas S/N: O-799310. Was assigned to Tyndall Field, Fl.
Bernier, Ernest Albert, Jr.
From Londonerry, NH. He had basic at Gunter. Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799316. Was assigned to the Air Service Command at Rose Cranz Field, MO. Then he was a transport pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command station at Chabua, India flying supplying missions over the southern Himalayan Mountains (the "Lower Hump") into China. Then to T W A at Kansas City.
Binkiewiczs, Longin W.
He washed out in Basic. He retired as a New England Electric engineer in 1980.
Born 1920
From Walpole, MA
Died Dec. 16, 1992
Bohnke, Charles R., Jr.
S/N: 32033275. He was attending Basic Flying School at Gunter Field located near Montgomery, AL where on January 3, 1943, he was killed in a takeoff accident in a BT-13.
Avn Cadet
From NY
Bowler, Joseph L. "Cannonball"
From
http://schuylkillcountymilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2008/03/pilots-and-bombercrews-from-schuylkill.html
Glider Pilot Learns The Ropes,
Pottsville Journal:
"Flight Officer Joseph L. Bowler of Tumbling Run, Schuylkill County recently arrived at A U.S. Strategic Air Force Base in England and received a Brief orientation course to help him adjust to a life in a combat zone.
"There is a book entitled
“War Stories” By Bart Hagernan That contains a short story about Flight Officer “Cannonball” Bowler. Making a combat glider landing."
Korean War: "One tough job..."
The H-13D
During the Korean War, the Armys 2nd Helicopter Detachment flew MEDEVAC missions rescued hundreds of wounded soldiers with its H-13 helicopters. It was the first Army helicopter unit to go into action in Korea. Records of the Bell Helicopter Co., which manufactured early H-13s in Niagara Falls, N.Y., credit Bowler for evacuating 824 wounded soldiers (more than half of the detachments 1,506) between Jan. 10 and Nov. 2, 1951.
The following year, Bell gave Bowler its first Mr. Helicopter award, an honor it bestowed to a pilot annually until 1960. Bowler, at age 40, was the old man of the detachment. (See
History of Aviation: From its Beginnings to the War on Terror by James Williams, pp. 60-61.)
DFC
Bullard, Harrold S. (Harry)
He had Basic at Gunter.
Campbell, Paul Welphley
He had Basic at Gunter, Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799327. Was assigned to 2nd A.F. at Boise. He went to England in the 303rd Bomb Gp, 358th Bomb Sqdn. In his 18th mission, on Jan. 11, 1944 in a B-17G (S/N: 42-30865) with a crew of 10, he was shot down over Germany. 20mm bullets came through the nose killing the bombardier and 3 others. Campbell bailed out and was a P.O.W. for the rest of the War (MACR #1927). He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Afterward he reenlisted and flew in the Pacific. Then he was a Teacher in a junior high school.
Carpenter, Clarence A.
He had Basic at Gunter. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799329. Was assigned to A.T.C. at Rose Cranz Field, MO. Then to T.W.A. at Kansas City, MO.
of Canton, N.C.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Casey, John J., Jr.
CPT
10/3/18 - 2/15/94
Clark, Charles W., Jr.
Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799337. Was assigned to Ft. Myers, FL.
of Chester, PA.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Cook, McKinley, Jr.
He had basic at Gunter.
Dean, Herbert
Student Officer: Warrant Officer, JG. Rundlett was his instructor.
Dooley, John Francis
He had basic at Gunter. Graduated Marianna Army Air Field in FL, S/N: O-799543. He was stationed at Dale Mabry Field, FL in the 312 Fighter Sqdn, 338 Fighter Group. He was killed June 5, 1943 in a crash of undetermined cause 4 miles NW of Havanna, FL while flying P-47D (S/N:42-22396).
2nd Lt.
of Philadelphia, PA in 1942.
Born 1920.
Buried Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Wyndmoor, PA
Dube, Andre Alfred
Fred Briles was his instructor. Had basic at Gunter. He served in the China-Burma-India Theater, per his obituary [The Monitor (McAllen, Texas), 21 May 1991, Tue, Page 2].
Born 23 Jun 1920 New Bedford, MA. Died May 20, 1991, age 70.
Had lived in Edinburg, TX since 1956.
Wife: Pauline C. Dube
Buried Valley Memorial Gardens, McAllen, TX.
Click here for a group picture.
Evans, Carlyle G.
Went to Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
of Slatington, PA.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Fallon, Frank Joseph
He had Basic at Günter Field and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799363.
of Springfield, Drexel Hill, PA.
Frank died in 1990.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Ford, Gadsden Morris, Jr.
Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799368. He was assigned to the 331st Bomb Group. AAB at Casper, Wyoming. He was a B-17 co-pilot assigned to the 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England and became a POW on June 22, 1943 and was imprisoned at Luft-Stalag 3. His plane B-17G #42-3284 was named "Guess Who?" and was lost to flak.
2LT
of Clewiston, FL.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Forney, Donald W.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. "Bing" Crosby was his instructor. Basic was at Günter and he graduated at Moody Field.
Francis, Samuel N.
Fred Briles was his instructor. Attended Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He became a B-24 Radio Operator assigned to the 456th Bomb Group 746th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater. For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Frank, Robert Leslie
Fred Briles was his instructor. Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base.
Friedline, Gordon E.
Fred Briles was his instructor. S/N: O-799748. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 90th Bomb Group 319th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the South-West Pacific Area and went Missing in Action while on a recon mission on January 16, 1944. He and the entire crew were declared dead. (MACR #2084)
Gabbe, Lawrence Donald
Fred Briles was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799372. He was assigned to the ME-BPS at Courtland Ala. He was killed in an aircraft accident at Courtland. For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Gannon, Thomas P.
He had Basic at Gunter Air Force Base and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799373. Later he was with the 435th Troop Carrier Group. For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
1st. Lt.
wife: Evelyn Gannon
Of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Gibbons, James Joseph
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799380. Was assigned to the Osborne Grp. attached to the 19th Crp. at Pyote, TX. He served in the Strategic Air Command. He left the Service for 5 years, then was recalled for the Korean War. He had a 23 year career. He retired on disability and died about 1975 from a Service connected disease.
Major
Wife: Georgiana Gibbons
Of Providence, R.I.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Goldstein, Herman W.
He had basic at Gunter Air Force Base.
Grunewald, Edward August
O’Rear Treadaway was his instructor. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799385. He was assigned to the Osborne Grp. attached to the 19th Grp. at Pyote, TX. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 464th Bomb Group 776th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater. On July 5, 1944 on a bombing mission to Toulon, France, his plane was hit by flak and blew up. He bailed out as it blew up and he became a POW in Germany (MACR #6379). An eyewitness from another plane said he believed Pilot Grunewald held position at 20,000 as long as possible to allow his crew to bail out.
2LT
Of Alton. Kans.
Died Feb 12, 2014 at Somerville Texas.
Wife: Jane Grunewald of Fort Worth, TX during the War.
For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here
Hanabeck, George S.
Enlisted 16 Mar 1942
Born 1916, Pennsylvania
Hansen, Allen Marlin
F. O'Rear Treadaway was his instructor. Allen had Basic at Gunter and Advanced at Marianna. He went into P-40’s and P-51’s. He was sent to Africa and then to Naples, Italy with the 526th Sqdn. 86th Fighter/Bomber Group. He was shot down on his 37th mission and remained a P.O.W. until May 3, 1945.
Hargrove, Jasper E.
O'Rear Treadaway was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Field after graduating from Spence Field. He instructed there and later instructed at the gunnery school at Eglin Field. In Aug. 1944 he was sent to England to the 385th Sqdn. 364th Fighter Grp. 8th A.F. He was officially credited with 3-1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Harper, William Sterling, Jr.
Enlisted March 14, 1942. He graduated from Blytheville AAFd with the Class of 43C, S/N: O-803394. For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
See
FindAGrave.
Harriss, Hayden H.
(S/N: 14094568).
He joined up in March 1942. He went to Maxwell Field for "classification" and Preflight. Primary was at Douglas, Ga (O’Rear Treadaway was his instructor), Basic at Gunter Field, Advanced at Marianna Fla. Graduated as 2nd Lieutenant, Rated Pilot.
His instructors were O'Rear Treadway; F/O Taylor - RAF type at Gunter Field, and Lt. Hargis in Marianna -- He praised God for them and those who gave the check rides!
He trained in P-40s and P-51s in Florida and Louisianna with the 54th Fighter Group, just back from the Aleutians.
He went overseas in July '43 to the Mediterranean Theater. He served in Italy with the 111th Tactical Recon. Sqdn, XII Tactical Air Command, and completed 93 missions.
He was transferred to the 12th AAF, Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Forces as a captain. He returned to the U.S. after VE Day for reassignment and was released from Active Duty after VJ Day.
He had a case of malaria, but while "in hospital", he met Lt. Nora R. "Muggsie" McGinnis, Army Nurse Corps, and they got married.
Highest rank: Major
Honors: European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, 4 stars - Air Medal - One Oak Leaf Cluster. D.F.C.
Born: Jacksonville, FL, Aug. 23, 1921.
Died: Lagrange, GA, October 4, 2001.
Wife (presumably his 2nd wife): Helen Harriss
Of Atlanta, GA.
Hebert, Alfred Moore
He had Basic at Gunter. He graduated from Marianna AAFd with the Class of 43C, S/N: O-799564. He was a P-39 pilot assigned to the 406th Fighter Group 514th Fighter Sqdn flying training missions and was killed in a flying accident in South Carolina on October 30, 1943.
2LT
Of Vandergrift, PA. in 1942.
Hinga, Robert Earl
He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799401. For his picture while at Blytheville,
click here.
Of Detroit, MI.
Hintz, Frederick E.
He had basic at Gunter. S/N: O-799773. He was a B-17 pilot probably in the 482nd Bomb Group in the European Theater during the War. In 1952, Major Hintz took command of the 3902nd Air Base Group at Offutt AFB, in Nebraska. Also served in Korea and Vietnam.
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1975 TUCSON DAILY CITIZEN "Tucson residents recall VE Day 30 years later" PAGE 51 By JOHN BRET HARTE Citizen Staff Writer Memories of VE Day, May 8,1945.
The B-17 bombers had taken off from a base in the English midland to hit a target in Germany's Ruhr Valley. The raid went off without a hitch and the planes were heading back over France toward their home base when the news crackled over the radio in the lead craft: Germany's armies had surrendered. The war in Europe was over. Captain Frederick E. Hintz, pilot of the lead bomber, knew what to do. He set his course for Paris, brought the plane down to a bare 50 feet above the ground and flew up the Champs Elysees while, below, countless thousands of Frenchmen went mad with joy that the long war was over. When Hintz landed in England it seemed to him the whole country was rejoicing. At the officers' club in Alconbury, where the squadron was stationed, a party had been going on for six hours and the club was unrecognizable. "About 50 per cent of the men were praying and praising God," Hintz, now a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, recalled. "The rest were getting gloriously drunk." But for Hintz of 752 N. Bedford Drive victory meant he could at last go home and see his wife.
He was a LT COL when he retired
See
FindAGrave
Born Sep. 23, 1921
Died Feb. 10, 2001
Huff, William Henry
of Cullman, Alabama. He died about 1989 at 67 years of age.
Jackameit, Raymond H.
T/SGT
Born Nov. 17, 1923,
in New York City
Died Dec. 5, 2011
James, William E.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. S/N: O-442863. He had basic at Gunter Field. He was a P-47 pilot assigned to the 405th Fighter Group 510th Fighter Sqdn flying missions from England. On August 8, 1944 his plane was hit by flak. He bailed out but was killed by the flak. (MACR #8229)
Purple Heart, DFC, Air Medal.
Jarrell, John A.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. S/N: O-445766 from Thomasville, GA. He had Basic at Gunter. He had a flying accident out of Moody Field in a AT-10BH. He became a navigator. He planned 13 missions. He later was a pilot in the Korean War. See Shelbyville (TN) Times-Gazette:
http://www.t-g.com/story/1541961.html
Johnson, William A.
He had Basic at Macon and Advanced at Moody.
of Shickshinny, PA.
Kehr, Charles H.
He had basic at Gunter. He graduated from Napier Field with the Class of 43C, S/N: O-800551. He was a P-40 pilot assigned to the 79th Fighter Group 86th Fighter Sqdn flying missions into Italy. On December 8, 1943 on a mission his plane was hit by intensive anti-aircraft fire and exploded. He was killed (MACR #1410).
2LT
From NJ
Kelleher, Robert W.
He graduated from Selman Field with the Class of 43-08 on June 12, 1943. He was a B-17 navigator assigned to the 493rd Bomb Group flying missions out of Debach, England. He entered the service as a Private in 1943 and was discharged as a Captain in 1945, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. See his obituary:
http://www.keohane.com/services/robert-w-kelleher/
CPT
Died May 13, 2007 in Cohasset, MA
Kelley, Martin L. Jr.
He had basic at Gunter.
Kendall, V.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. Rufus Rundlett was his instructor. He flew back from Advanced and gave Rundlett a ride in an AT-6. Buzzed the town on Sunday.
Kivimaki, Toivo Kalervo
He was delayed to class 43C from 43B. Then to Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated from Marianna AAFd with the Class of 43C. He was a transport pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command station in India flying supplying missions over the southern Himalayan Mountains into China. (See
Find-a-grave).
From NH
Landry, James E. 'Tex'
Wilson Myers was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Field and Advanced at Napier Field, Ala. Later he was with the Troop Carrier Command.
Col.
Of Warner Robins, GA.
Died Aug., 1990
Lindley, Samuel E. Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala.
Lombard, Gerald Paul
He graduated at Blytheville AA fld, Ark, S/N: O-799415. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 99th Bomb Group 347th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater. On March 18, 1944 he was flying B-17F (S/N:42-5439) on a mission to the Villaorba Airfield in Italy when his plane was hit by rockets from enemy aircraft during bombs away. He and his crew bailed out and he became a POW in Germany (MACR #3355).
2LT
Born 6 Jan 1916. Died 10 Sep 1983.
From Fitchburg, Worcester, Massachusetts
For his picture while at Blytheville, click here.
Lowenthal, Bernard London
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. S/N: O-799813. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 465th Bomb Group 782nd Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean Theater. On August 3, 1944 he was co-pilot flying a B-24J (S/N: 44-41017) on a mission to Friedrichshafen, Germany when on their way home, they were attacked by enemy fighters. He bailed out and became a POW in Germany (MACR #7537).
2LT
From VA
Marhefka, Chester F.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. He apparently graduated with the class of 43D (possibly Napier Field), S/N: O-802932. He was a C-47 pilot assigned to the 440th Troop Carrier Group 95th TCS flying missions in Europe and was retired disabled on May 5, 1945.
1LT
From PA
Markle, Frederic Stark
He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799420. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Sqdn flying missions out of England.
He made the Air Force a career.
1LT, later Major
Wife: Carol Markle
of Freeland, PA.
Martinson, Robert G.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala.
Martuszewski, Walter W.
He washed out in S. E. Advanced.
Born Oct. 25, 1921 in Maryland
Died June 1, 1992
See
FindAGrave
McBride, Frederick H.
Paul Plaginos was his instructor. He graduated from Selman Field with the Class of 43-11 on August 14, 1943, S/N: O-809486. He was a B-17 navigator assigned to the 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions out of England and became a POW in Germany on February 22, 1944. (MACR #2641)
McCaslin, John M., Jr.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant at Douglas. Rundlett was his instructor. S/N: O-440434. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England.
1LT
From OH
McCormack, Lemuel Houston Jr. "Lee"
Sam Myers was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799425. He was kept on as a B-26 instructor of French cadets. Later he instructed West Point cadets in B-25's and A-26's and was in air shows. He stayed in the military and flew C-47's in the Berlin Air Lift, and was shot at by Russians. He continued to serve in a number of ways and retired in 1972.
McDonald, Robert
He had Basic at Gunter Field and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799426. He was was a B-29 Superfortress pilot assigned to the 19th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions from Guam in the Central Pacific. It is believed that it was his first mission when he went Missing In Action on April 16, 1945 (MACR #14273).
1LT
from MI
McRae, James Arrington
He graduated from Roswell Field with the Class of 43-08 on June 3, 1943, S/N: O-746960. He was a B-26 Marauder bombardier/navigator assigned to the 321st Bomb Group 446th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Southern Europe.
1LT
From WI
McShane, Charles H.
He was a technician assigned to Detachment 150 of the 18th Weather Squadron which supported the 56th Fighter Group in England.
From NJ
Michaels, Robert P., Jr. ("Mike" or "Bob")
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala., advanced at Spence Field, Ga, and Tactical at Waycross, Ga. He was assigned to the 385th F.B. Squadron, 311th F.B. Group, in Waycross, Ga April 1943. The 311th F.B. Group transferred to CBI July 1943. The 385th F.B. Squadron was eliminated enroute to India and he was reassigned to the 529th Fighter Squadron for a few weeks then to the 530th Fighter Sqdn in which he flew most of his 78 combat missions. He flew the "Hump" and belonged to the Hump Pilots Assoc. He remained in CBI for 22 months to return to the USA in April 1945. He was released from active duty July 1945 but remained in the reserve until 1963 to retire as Lt. Col.
Honors: Air Medal, Two Oak Leaf Clusters, D.F.C.
After discharge he returned to the leaf tobacco business where he retired in 1984.
Millan, Robert C.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala.
Millen, Louis
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. Delayed from 43B. Plaginos was his instructor.
Miller, Richard R.
He was in a night time mid air collision with Michael A. Wood at Basic. He jumped from the plane, injuring his back. This caused his elimination from Flight Training.
Miner, Charles Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. He graduated at Napier Field with the class of 43C S/N: O-800574. He was a twin-engine pilot assigned to Morris Field located near Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the field was to train light bombardment crews for combat flying A-20s and later A-26s.
1LT
Mohawk, Hiawatha
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. He graduated at Spence Field with the class of 43C, S/N: O-800022. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the 325th Fighter Group 319th Fighter Sqdn flying missions in the Mediterranean.
1LT
Monaghan, Edward J. Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. S/N: O-801717. He was a pilot assigned to Mountain Home AAB located near Pocatello, Idaho in December 1943.
LT
Moore, Marlin Mitchell
He had basic at Gunter Field, Ala. Graduated from Marianna Field in Fla with the class of 43C, S/N: O-799612. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the 338th Fighter Group 312th Fighter Sqdn flying training missions in Florida and was killed in a mid-air collision while flying a P-47 on July 11, 1943.
2LT
of Paducah, KY.
Moore, William B.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. S/N: O-462877. He had Basic at Gunter.
Morris, Walter H.
He graduated from the navigator school at Selman Field with the Class of 43-08 on June 12, 1943.
Moseley, Arthur G.
He had basic at Gunter Field, Ala. S/N: O-799834. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England and was killed in a flying accident near RAF Station Drem in Scotland on February 4, 1944.
1LT
From FL
Moses, Stanley G.
PVT
From NY
Moss, Thomas Randolph
Paul Plaginos was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala.
and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799435. Flew many missions in the European theater.
Click here for more information.
Mueller, Carl William
Paul Plaginos was his Instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Field, Ala. S/N: O-800579. He was a P-47 pilot assigned to the 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Sqdn flying missions from England. On October 24, 1944 he was on a mission over Germany when he lost a propellor and was forced to belly land. A fellow pilot commented that he made a beautiful belly landing. He was taken prisoner of war (MACR #9640).
Munn, William C.
William washed out at Douglas and became Navigator/Bombadier in B-17’s. After the war he was with the I. T. T. Development Corp.
Wife: Carrie Munn
Of Daytona Beach, FL.
He died May 1986.
Munson, Donald H.
Born 1917
From Okeechobee County, Florida
Newcomb, Reed S.
Paul Plaginos was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Field and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799437. He flew B-26’s and A-26s in the U.S.A. Afterward he had a full career with Pan American Airlines.
1st Lt.
Wife: Marie Newcomb
Of Ashville, N.C.
Norsoph, Irving
S/N: 13077315. He was Killed In Action.
S/SGT
From PA
Ondris, Edward "Eddie" (nmi)
He trained at Maxwell Field, Ala., Douglas, Ga., and Gunter Field, Ala. He graduated in March, 1943 from Marianna, S/N: O-799623, and left for overseas in August, 1943. He was a P-47 pilot assigned to the 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Sqdn flying missions from England. He subsequently completed 89 flying missions and 491 combat hours over enemy territory. He was killed April 5, 1944, while completing a mission over enemy territory (MACR #3626). He received the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Born: April 11, 1916
1st Lt.
of Charleroi, PA.
Osborn, Allen, Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter Field. He served for 50 missions in the S. Pacific during WWII. Then spent 2 1/2 years in Germany from 1946. He also flew in the Berlin Airlift, and again in Korea. This was followed by 14 years in S.A.C.
Click here for more information.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Audrey Osborn
Of Atlanta, GA.
Palmer, George Raymond "Ray"
Allen Cadle was his instructor. Ray had Basic at Gunter and Advanced at Marianna, FL. He was sent to Southern Italy with the 86th F.B.G. He flew 85 missions, mostly dive bombing and strafing. He returned as an instructor teaching P-40Ns and P-510s. He was released in October 1945. He was recalled in Nov. 1952 and stayed in the Service until he retired as Lt. Col. on July 1, 1970.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Hazel Palmer
Originally of Adrian, MI; later of Homosassa, FL.
Pappas, Thomas C.
S/N: O-809284. He was a B-24 Liberator navigator assigned to the 5th Bomb Group 31st Bomb Sqdn flying missions in the South Central Pacific and was killed in action on April 20, 1944 near Manus Island in the Admiralty Is.
2LT
From MD
Pegram, William Gladstone
He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799447. He was assigned to the 331st bomb group at Casper, Wyo. and then sent to England.
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report): #0667:
Lt. Pegram was in the 8th Air Force, 91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomber Sqdn. On Sept 27, 1943, he was pilot of a B-17-F (S/N: 42-5111) with 9 other crew members on board leaving from AAF Station 121 to Baden, Germany on a bombardment mission. At approximately 1003 hours, 24,000 feet, just beyond the I.P., the aircraft was hit by enemy fighters. No. 3 engine caught on fire, and flames also seemed to be coming from a wing and also fuselage. The aircraft fell out of formation under control turning to the right. The aircraft went into a slow spiral dive then pulled up, and was last seen going into the clouds, but under control. No chutes were seen. Later it was learned that 4 of the crew, including Lt. Pegram were killed in action. The rest of the crew became P.O.W.s.
He was awarded the D.F.C. while in England.
2nd Lt.
Perelka, Charles W.
He had basic at Gunter. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the Chinese American Composite Wing of the 14th Air Force in its 3rd Fighter Group 7th Squadron.
Polonsky, Stanford I.
In 1961, as executive officer of the Roswell District corps of engineers, Major Polonsky was called on to investigate the collisions of 8 ships off the coast of Europe due to fog. See
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Press, Richard C.
"Aviation Cadet Richard C. Press son of Barney H. and the late Mrs. Press former residents of East Church street, and now residing in Detroit Michigan has completed the second phase of his flight training at the army air force school at Gunter Field, Alabama. Prior to his arrival at Gunter Field, he had received his primary training at Douglas, Georgia where he obtained 60 hours in the air in primary training planes. He was appointed an Aviation Cadet June 20, 1942.
"Cadet Press was a member of the graduating class of the Somerset high school class of 1935 but left the school before receiving his diploma to join his father in Detroit. During the summer months and after school hours, he worked as desk clerk at the Somerset House. In 1936 Press enlisted in the regular army and was stationed in Hawaii, for several years. He re-enlisted again in 1942 in the army air corps." [Source: Somerset Daily American Newspaper Archives (Somerset, Pennsylvania), February 02, 1943 Page 3.]
Unfortunately, he washed out at Basic at Gunter.
Prezzano, Joseph E., Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter. S/N: O-799856. He was in the 91st Bomb Group 323rd Squadron. He was co-pilot and Jens T. Weiby, Jr. was pilot on a B-17-F (S/N: 42-6086) with a crew of 10 on a mission to a chemical plant in Laverkusan, Germany on Dec. 1, 1943. From the 323rd Dailies, 1 December 1943:Fighter Escort: "Was scheduled for the entire route over enemy territory and was excellent except for about 20 minutes during which time 40 to 50 enemy fighters pressed home many nose attacks. Five ships of our group are missing, including Lt. Weiby and his crew in Ship #086 of this squadron who were reported last seen on the way home dropping out of the formation under control." All 10 of the crew were killed. (MACR #1322)
Rattigan, John Gerald (spelled John Gerrad Rattigan in MACR)
He had Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated from Marianna in Fla. Was checked out in P-40’s at Moultrie. He served in the Pacific. He returned to be checked out in P-39’s and then went back to the Pacific. He died in the Pacific theatre on December 18, 1943 near Makin Island.
Ristad, Kenneth Habrey
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799460. Was assigned to 382nd Bomb Grp. Davis—Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ. He was a B-24 Liberator pilot assigned to the 404th Bomb Squadron of the 11th Air Force flying missions in Alaska and was INVOLVED in a flying accident in a B-24D (S/N: 41-23884) on February 27, 1944 near Shemya Island in the Aleutian Islands.
LT
of Detroit, MI.
Rivett, Dale Amos
He had basic at Gunter, graduated from Marianna in Fla.
of Detroit, MI.
Rogg, Israel
He had basic at Gunter and he graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799462. He was next sent to the 2nd A.F. at Boise, Ida.
Rogg was a second lieutenant copilot of a B-17F (S/N: 42-5898) in a combat mission leaving from Station 136 with intended destination of Munster Germany on Oct. 10, 1943. He was part of a 10-man crew.
Witnesses reported that his ship went down over the target just after bombs away. The crews report that this ship suddenly nosed down steeply and dove out of the formation during a lull in fighter activity. Reports were that a large burst of flak exploded in the middle of the squadron formation and immediately thereafter the ship dived out of formation. As soon as it lost several thousand feet it was hit by a number of fighters.
According to his cousin, Sol Rogg, Israel Rogg became a P.O.W. and earned the D.F.C.
2LT
of Douglaston, L. I., N.Y.
Rohrer, Richard L.
He had basic at Gunter. S/N: O-802943. He was a B-17 co-pilot assigned to the 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Sqdn when he was shot down and became a POW on June 21, 1943. He was a prisoner at Luft Stalag 7A. See
http://www.398th.org/History/398th_Aircraft/MACRs
1LT
From PA
Rohrs, Robert
McLenden was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated at Marianna AAFd with the Class of 43C, S/N: O-799644. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the 35th Fighter Group 39th Fighter Sqdn in the Southwest Pacific Area, flew 125 missions and shot down 2 enemy aircraft. After the war he was in Radio Broadcasting.
2LT
From NJ
Wife: Nicky Rohrs
Of Vero Beach, FL.
Rugg, Edward L.
S/N: O-799646. He was a transport co-pilot with the Air Transport Command based in the China-Burma-India Theater for eight months flying supplies over the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains and into China. He was co-pilot on a C-46 (S/N: 41-12419) when it went missing after leaving Yunnanyi China on December 10, 1943. He and his crew returned to duty soon afterwards. (MACR #1408)
Nevada State Journal Newspaper Archive: June 23, 1944 - Page 12 tells about his promotion to 1st LT and service in the ATC for 8 months in India and his current location in North Africa.
See MACR:
http://www.fold3.com/document/28701126/
Born 1923
1LT
From NY; later of Reno, Nevada.
Russell, John Sherman
John had Basic at Gunter Field and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799464. He was in the 436th Transport Command, 80th Sqdn. at Membury England, then in Europe, towing gliders, flying nurses and others. He was assigned to General Bradley's 12th Army group in Weisbaden, Germany, flying miscellaneous dignitaries as well as the 12th Army Group. After the war he continued to fly in the National Guard.
Sawyer, Perry A.
He washed out in basic at Gunter. S/N: 11034013. He was an B-17 aircrew member assigned to the 301st Bomb Group 353rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions from Italy into Southern Europe. See
http://www.301bg.com/Sawyer_Perry_S4013_301BG.cfm. He received the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters.
T/SGT
From NJ
Schetler, Jackson Raughler
S/N: O-799654. He had basic at Gunter. He was a P-38 pilot assigned to the 14th Fighter Group, 49th Fighter Sqdn, flying missions in Southern Europe.
1LT
From PA
For a picture of him and the 49th Fighter Sqdn, taken on May 22, 1944, click here:
49th Fighter Squadron
Schneider, William A.
He had basic at Gunter. He graduated at Napier Field with the Class of 43C, S/N: O-800600. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the 57th Fighter Group 64th Fighter Sqdn flying missions in North Africa and later was assigned to the Headquarters of the 33rd Fighter Group.
2LT
Seidman, Robert Kronson
He had Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated with S/N: O-799657. He was a P-38 pilot assigned to the 14th Fighter Group 49th Fighter Sqdn flying missions in Southern Europe and was killed in action on May 14, 1944. (MACR #5049). He had completed his required missions. He volunteered to fly one more to the Villaorba Aerodrome and was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. His body was returned to Pittsburgh for burial.
1LT
from Pittsburgh, PA.
Wife: Loretta G. Seidman
Shelvey, William E.
1SGT
From PA
Born July 5th, 1919
Died Jan. 23rd, 2011
Shira, Wylie H., Jr.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799479. He was assigned to A.T.C. at Rosencranz Field MO. and was a C-46 Commando pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command based in the China-Burma-India Theater flying supplies over the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains (the "Hump" and into China. He was an Optometrist as a civilian. See
http://www.turnermyersfuneralhome.com/obits/shira_OBIT.html
Of Newcastle, PA.
Born Dec. 22, 1920
Died Dec. 27, 2004
Siegel, Seymour J.
He had basic at Gunter, washed out in Advanced.
Simmons, Henry Ewing
Lt. Col.
Wife: Vivianne Simmons
Of Ft. Orange, FL.
Smith, John Joseph
He had basic at Gunter.
Smith, Robert Hamer
He had basic at Gunter.
Southard, Herbert E.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799487. Was assigned to Air Transport Command Rosencranz Field, MO. and was a C-46A Commando pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command based in the China-Burma-India Theater flying supplies over the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains (the "Hump") and into China. Later, he was a Captain in the USAF serving with the 66th Air Rescue Squadron stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
(see
Find-a-Grave).
DFC and Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.
of Detroit, MI
Born Nov. 10, 1917
Died May 5, 1967
Staubach, Harry Louis
He had Basic at Gunter Field and graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799489.
2nd Lt
from S. Carolina
He died in 1993.
Steed, George Hubert Jr. "Bert"
He had Basic at Gunter. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799490. Bert was killed in France Feb. 8, 1945. He was flying an A-26 (S/N: 41-39222) on the 416th Bomb Group's mission #200 to Nutterden-Crannenberg, Holland. On the return, Lt. Steed's A/C ran out of gas and crashed near Montgeron, France. Lt. Steed was killed in the crash and was buried near the crash site. In 1946 his body was exhumed and reinterred at Arlington Cemetery in Section 12, site 4630. A private memorial, maintained by a French citizen marks the crash site today.
Steffy, Robert Franklin
1LT
of Detroit, MI in 1943.
Stewart, Peter Joseph
Later graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799669. Also Blytheville O-799490. He went on to fly P-39s in Guadalcanal (WWII) and later became an instructor in P-51s.
He went back into the Air Force in 1952 and flew F-86s in Korea. He stayed in the Air Force and flew missions in several places throughout the world. He was shot down over Viet Nam in 1966 (F-4) and is listed as MIA.
Born in 1918 in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated to the United States when he about six years old.
Of Woodside, LI.
He attained the rank of Colonel.
Stokowski, Henry John
Charles Sherrill was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799494. He was assigned to A.T.C. at Rosencranz Field, Mo. He took training with T.W.A. and Western Air. Then he went into C-47’s in the C.B.I. Theatre, flying in and out of Calcutta, India to the "Hump" He stayed in the Reserves for 21 years arid retired as a Lt. Col.
Lt. Col
Wife: Renee Stokowski
Of Baltimore, MD.
Stoy, Frank Hayner
Of Pittsburgh, PA.
Born Nov. 25, 1919
Died June 1, 2004
Stultz, Francis Edgar
Hagerstown, MD. He had basic at Gunter. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799497. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Sqdn flying missions out of Ridgewell England.
LT
From MD
Sullivan, George Evan
Had basic at Gunter, Graduated Marianna in Fl. S/N: O-799676. Per his obituary: "He had a distinguished career of 32 1/2years, highly decorated, to include receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star. He was a veteran of 3 wars: WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam, and was stationed in various places including France, and Ethiopia where he served as the advisor to the Ethiopian Air Force."
Of Pittsburgh, PA.
Born June 26, 1921; died 2009.
Wife: Wylene Ballard Sullivan (per her obituary in April 2007), married 1943 in Ala.
Lt. Col. (Retired)
Sunderman, Phillip Vernon
Ray Murray was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799499. He went to A. T. C. Flew in India and China. Click here for his story:
Page 1,
Page 2,
Page 3,
Page 4,
Page 5 .
Click here for a picture of
him with his plane at Douglas.
1st Lt.
Wife: Jeanne Sunderman.
Of Pittsburgh, PA.
Sussman, Mervin H.
Ray Murray was his instructor. Had Basic at Gunter. Washed out in advanced. S/N: O-1692661. He was a Radar Observer on a British-built Beaufighter assigned to the 415th Night Fighter Squadron serving with the 12th Air Force and was shot down approximately 30 miles south of Luxeul, France by an American B-17 on December 31, 1944 and died in the resulting crash.
http://forum.armyairforces.com/Varillus-Oliver-Jones-m148993.aspx
2LT
From NY
Sweetnam, John Henry
He had Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799501. He was a C-47 pilot assigned to the 435th Troop Carrier Group flying missions out of Welford England. He flew during the invasion of France.
1st Lt.
Of Grand Rapids, MI.
He died during the 1970s
Thorne, Bliss Kirby
Ray Murray was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Gunter and graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799505. He flew the “Hump” in C-46’s, and wrote a book about it, named The Hump: The Great Himalayan Airlift of World War II. He stayed in the Reserves.
Capt.
Born Mar 6,1916 in New York.
He died about Sep 19, 1987.
Tyransky, Charles G.
He had basic at Gunter.
Vansant, Franklin G. "Frank"
Charles Sherrill was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Sqdn flying missions out of Horham England. He was discharged in 1945.
Capt.
Wife: Ruth Vansant
Of Homosassa, FL.
Vogeley, Charles Blythe "Blythe"
Charles Sherrill was his instructor at Douglas. He had basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799513.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Esther Vogeley
Of Lebanon, IL.
Walsh, John A.
Sherrill was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Field.
of Philadelphia, PA.
Warner, John Willitz, Jr.
Sherrill was his instructor. Had basic at Gunter. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799518.
of Indiana, PA.
Watson, John Millard
Sam Snow was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter and Advanced at Marianna in Fla, graduating as 2nd Lt. (S/N: O-799685). He was co-pilot on a C-46 (No. 41-24722) that went missing on Mar. 23, 1944. An unknown technical failure en route from India to China (over the Hump) for a cargo delivery forced the crew to abandon the aircraft. All four crew bailed out and survived while the aircraft crashed. The crew walked back from the Valley Plain (China) to Burma and reported for duty on April 7, 1944.
After the war he flew for United Airlines and retired at 60 years of age. He continued to instruct on United Airlines simulators.
Lt. Col.
Weill, Max Stuart
He had Basic at Gunter Field, Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799678. He was a P-51 fighter pilot assigned to the 506th Fighter Group 457th Fighter Sqdn flying missions out of Guam in May 1945. Later, he was a jet fighter pilot in the Korean War.
http://www.506thfightergroup.org/Pilot_John_Benbow_P51_463983.asp(Do search on Weill.)
Lt. then CPT
from Clio, S.C.
Max died in 1976.
Whidby, Monroe T.
He washed out of pilot training and became a Bombardier. He flew in the 8th A. F. bombers. Monroe was shot down and spent 14 months as a P.O.W.
Click here for more information.
Wife: Ruth Whidby
Of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
As a civilian he went back to the Fire Dept. of Ft. Lauderdale. He was Fire Chief for a number of years prior to his death in 1980.
Wilson, William R., Jr.
He had basic at Gunter, Graduated from Marianna S/N: O-799700. He was sent to 17th S. E. Fighter Group.
Wood, Michael A.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. S/N: O-439261. Michael was killed in a mid air collision at night while at Basic. Richard A. Miller was in the other aircraft. He jumped and lived. He had also taken Primary at Douglas.
Yuravage, Albert Cornelius
He had Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-799532. He went to the Troop carrier Command. He was discharged at the end of the war. His service was all in the USA flying C-46 and C-47's. He was a flight instructor for a period. He was to go to the far east, but V. J. Day cancelled it.
1st Lt.
Wife: Betty Yuravage
Of Springfield, PA.
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