Class 1943-D – 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-D
(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers on about April 29, 1943.)
Araps, Sam
Born 10/15/1919
Died 02/08/2007
Of Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Archibald, Russell
Joe Thalman was his instructor. He washed out at Douglas. He is listed as being a S/SGT with the 213th AAF Base Unit. See
FindAGrave
Born Aug 9, 1921
Died Nov 10, 1970
Band, William F. X.
Joe Thalman was his Instructor at Douglas. S/N: O-802973. He became a Fighter Pilot with the Flying Tigers (16th Fighter Sq, 23rd and 51st Fighter Groups). Flew 102 missions. He flew P-40, P-51, B-25, C-47, F-86, T-28, etc. He was shot down 4 times. Post war he was with the F.B.I. until recalled for the Korean War, where he spent another 4 years. He wrote the interesting and entertaining book,
Warriors Who Ride the Wind.
Click here for more information and pictures.
Major
Born: Orange, N. J.
Wife: Emily Band
Barnes, Van Hook
He enlisted 2 Apr 1942. Joe Thalman was his instructor. He graduated in single engine airplanes from Napier Army Airfield at Dothan, AL in May 1943.
In 1946, he was hired as a pilot by United Airlines [see The Miami News (Miami, Florida), Mon, 11 Nov 1946, Page 12]. Later was possibly a pilot in New Jersey.
2nd Lt.
Born in Alabama approx 1922. Enlisted from Gainesville, FL. Described as from Miami, FL in 1943.
Barsditis, Edward A.
Joe Thalman and Lloyd Sager were his Instructors. He had Basic at Greenwood arid graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas S/N: O-802698. Later he was in the 15th Air Force, 5th Wing, 352 Bomb Group in Italy. On his 23rd Mission his B-17 was shot up and several of the crew were wounded. They had to bail out. He was a P.O.W. for 15 months. After the war he was with the Westinghouse Electric Co. in Pittsburgh.
Beadling, James J., Jr.
From his obituary: At the age of 17 enrolled in the Army Air Corps, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. James served as an instructor pilot in P-40s and P-51s during World War II. He bravely returned to battle during the Korean War as Squadron Commander of more than 50 night missions in F-84s and F-86s. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Born 21 Dec 1923. Of Hookstown, PA. Died Aug. 8, 2009.
Beck, Andrew G., Jr.
S/N: 13059860. He was a crew member of a B-29 assigned to the 40th Bomb Group flying missions the Central Pacific.
S/SGT
From PA
Bell (first name unknown)
Bennett, Theodore Herbert
Bill Bright was his Instructor at Douglas. He broke both ear drums and was washed out and became a Navigator. He graduated at Selman Field with the Class of 43-17 on December 23, 1943, S/N: O-703888. He was an B-24 navigator assigned to the 461st Bomb Group 766th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from Italy into Southern Europe.
See
https://461st.org/Roster/Roster%20766th.htm
After the war he was in the motion picture industry in Hollywood.
1st Lt.
Of Manasquan, N.J.
Bennett, William J.
He washed out at Douglas.
Betters, Martin J.
Enlisted 29 Mar 1942 in Pittsburgh.
Probably born May 7, 1917, in Port Vue, Pennsylvania; died June 8, 2008
Bitzer, Earl E.
Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was an B-24 pilot assigned to the 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England after which he flew clandestine missions in B-24s into Europe at night with the 801st Bomb Group (Provisional).
From OH
Bomser, Philip S.
He was an B-17 navigator assigned to the 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. He graduated at Selman Field with the Class of 43-10 on July 24, 1943.
From NY
Died July 18, 2007
Borland, William Henry Sr.
Born Oct. 21, 1921, in Pittsburgh, PA,
Died August 6, 2000 in Pueblo, CO
Bradnan, Paul
From Galveston Daily News Texas 1943-09-12: A B-17 bomber was believed to have lost its position in a formation in the Gulf of Mexico during a routine training flight. In attempting to maneuver back it collided with another ship. One plane exploded and both sank immediately afterwards. All 22 crew members were killed.
Brady, Thomas J.
Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-802710. He was an B-17 co-pilot assigned to the 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. On January 11, 1944 he was co-pilot of B-17F (S/N: 42-30782) on a mission to Halberstadt, Germany when it was shot down by enemy aircraft. He attempted to bail out but it is believed his chute did not open after it got caught on the bomb bay doors. He was killed in action (MACR #1931).
1LT
From NY
Breder, Richard F.
John Bassee was his principal instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Greenwood and graduated from Craig Field. After graduation he flew P-40’s & P-51’s. He was sent to China where he flew 30 missions with the 76th Fighter Sqdn. 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force (the Flying Tigers). He was discharged as a Capt. in May 1946.
Brooks, Richard W.
He graduated at Blytheville AAFd with the Class of 43D, S/N: O-802712. He was an B-17 pilot assigned to the 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England and became a POW on October 10, 1943. (MACR #1027) He was a prisoner at Sagan and at Moosburg.
2LT
From MA
Brumby, James R., III
He had Basic at Greenville and graduated from Napier Field. He became a Major in the A. F. in 1952 and was made a Lt. Col. in the Reserves. He became an Episcopal Priest.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Vesta Brumby
Of Crawfordsville, FL.
Buck, Byron M.
Born July 28, 1918, in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Died June 18, 2006
Bundy, Lincoln D.
He graduated (S/N: O-804996) and was flying a P-51 B-10 in the 8th AF, 352nd Fighter Group, 486th Ftr Sqdn over Europe. He was shot down on June 10 1944 somewhere near La Mailleraye, France after he and his squadron had just strafed a group of trucks (MACR # 5552).
It was not until 1995 that the full story emerged. He was shot down by one of Luftwaffe’s top aces, Lutz-Wilhelm Burkhardt. He evaded capture for some weeks and then joined with the British Special Air Service (SAS) who was working with French resistance to halt Germans from advancing to Normandy. They were discovered by the Germans, and he and the SAS members were executed on July 7, 1944 and buried in an unmarked grave. The grave was discovered in December 1944, leading to the eventual discovery of Bundy's death and burial. See Historynet.com.
Born February 12, 1918
Executed July 7, 1944.
Buried in the village cemetery in Rom, France.
Burggraf, Daniel Robert
He graduated with the Class of 43D, S/N: O-802827. He was an instructor pilot stationed at George Field, Indiana where he taught cadets to fly two-engined aircraft. He then became a B-29 airplane commander of Crew #22 flying his missions over the final two months of the war with the 468th Bomb Group, 793rd Bomb Squadron based at the West Field on the island of Tinian.
LT
from PA
Carter, Donald D.
He graduated on April 29, 1943 at Napier Field, AL with the Class of 43D, S/N: O-802991. He was assigned as a flying instructor at Cochran Field, GA in mid 1944 (The Tampa Tribune, 06 Aug 1944, Sun · Page 4). He may very likely be Donald Dowden Carter, who retired as a Lt. Col after serving in WWII, Korea and Vietnam (See his obituary in The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia · Tuesday, December 29, 1992).
LT.
Probably born 6 Jan 1923, Died 27 Dec 1992. Son of J.E. Carter. He was a student before the War at University of Florida.
Chatlos, William J. "Bill"
In preflight he roomed with Richard Breder. He was a B-29 Superfortress pilot assigned to the 505th Bomb Group 484th Bomb Sqdn flying missions to Japan from the Central Pacific. After the war, Bill’s dad employed Richard in the residential development business. About 1969 Bill Chatlos committed suicide for reasons unknown. (from Richard Breder)
1LT
His home was in Northern New Jersey.
Church, William Troy "Troy"
He was in the 48th Fighter Squadron, which flew P-38's. Volunteering to stay on after his 50 missions, he was lost on his 74th mission.
Click here for more information.
Clark, Allen C.
Caeser Miles was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated and then flew fighters. He was also in the Korean war and in Vietnam. He flew 72 combat missions and won the D.F.C., Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and 10 combat stars. He also flew Air Force One from 1963 to 1968 (Lyndon Johnson's presidency). Afterward he was a tax collector in West Palm Beach.
Col.
of West Palm Beach, FL.
He died Sept. 6, 1991.
Coleman, Paris Rell
He graduated at George Field with the Class of 43D, S/N: O-802833. He was an B-17 pilot assigned to the 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Sqdn flying 18 missions from England and was killed in action on March 6, 1943. His plane was attacked by enemy fighters and all bailed out except the ball turret gunner. He bailed out but did not survive, either being badly injured before bailing out or by getting killed by civilians on the ground near Gardelegen, Germany (MACR #2899).
1LT
From OH
Dawes, William Roy, Jr.
Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-802731. He was an B-17 pilot assigned to the 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. On April 9, 1944 he was pilot of B-17G (S/N: 42-38162) on a mission to Marianburg, Germany. On the return trip his plane was attacked by enemy aircraft, blowing the nose off the plane. The plane crashed into the sea and all 10 members of the crew were killed. (MACR #3940).
1LT
From MA
Wife: Wanda L. Dawes
DeBoer, Victor W.
He graduated at Hondo AAFd in Texas with the Class of 44-01 on January 15, 1944, S/N: O-707772. He was an B-24 navigator assigned to the 307th Bomb Group 372nd Bomb Sqdn (aka The Long Rangers) flying missions in the South West Pacific Area. On October 3, 1944 he was navigator on B-24J (S/N: 44-40614) on its return from a mission to Borneo Island. The plane was shot and lost control; the plane flew for awhile and some of the crew may have bailed out (MACR #10488). The entire crew was lost. (See
Find-a-grave)
1LT
Of Kalamazoo County, MI
DeLuca, Carmel M.
Caeser Miles was his Instructor. He went to Basic at Greenville Army Air Base in Greenville, SC. He spun in on an approach, but survived it. He was unable to continue his flight training because of a steel plate in his head.
Carmel lived in Covington until his death in 1981.
Dollar, Donley A.
Washed out, probably at Douglas.
Drummond, Clair Eugene
S/N: T-131968, O-936239. Enlisted June 18, 1940. Per his obituary and other sources, he became an Army Air Force mechanic and later graduated as a pilot from a Central Flying Command pilot school with the Class of 1944-G on August 4, 1944. He stayed in the U.S. until Mar. 4, 1945, when he was sent overseas, presumably as a pilot, until July 23, 1945. (Locations and dates are per his Application for World War II Compensation). Per his obituary and a DFC citation, he also flew combat missions during the Korean Conflict and received the DFC for his work as an Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) observer on flights from Aug 15, 1952 to Jan 20, 1953. He retired as a 1st Lieutenant after 17 years of service to his country. He was released from service 20 Aug 1953.
Born Sept 11, 1920 in Dayton, Jefferson Co., PA
Died Sept 21, 1994.
Buried North Point Cemetery, North Point, Pa.
DuPuy, Arthur N. Jr.
Enlisted 30 Mar 1942 in Boston.
From Plymouth Co, Massachusetts.
January 24, 1922 – August 26, 2011.
Died Fishkill, NY
Dyer, Emerson Lee
He was an B-17 co-pilot assigned to the 482nd Bomb Group 813th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England and SURVIVED a crash landing of B-17G (S/N: 42-97595) at base on March 17, 1944.
Eckert, Merton Erich
LT, later Major
Born Sep. 1, 1917
Died Aug. 27, 1970
Parkridge, IL
Erneston, Chris Jr.
Caeser Miles was his Instructor. He was a friend of “Moose” Elker. He graduated with class 43-D at Randolph. He was an instrument pilot instructor assigned to Cortland AAFd Basic Flying School in Alabama. He received specialized training for this duty at Randolph Field and Bryan AAFd both located in Texas.
Click here for a photo.
Finfinger, George Eugene
S/N: O-802736. He was an B-24 pilot assigned to the 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. On February 10, 1944 he was flying a mission to Brunswick, Germany. The plane was hit, and he and most of the crew bailed out. He became a POW. (MACR #2535)
1LT
From PA
Gardner, Grant
It was reported that he was killed in action, but he had a brother who was killed. He is probably the Grant Gardner who was a fighter pilot in the War and who was from Wilmette, IL [see Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), Fri, 26 Dec 1975, Page 90].
Based on the article, he died Dec. 22, 1975, age 60.
Gardner, Robert W.
He graduated as a bombardier with the Class of 43-09 at Deming, NM on June 24, 1943 (S/N: O-748000) and served with the 462nd Bomb Group 768th Bomb Squadron. He died aboard the B-29 Super Fortress (#42-24506) in a flying accident near Piardoba, India on February 20, 1945.
1LT.
From Uniontown, PA
Garfein, Ralph Lloyd
Lloyd Treadaway was his instructor. S/N: O-577649.
He graduated at the AAF Officers Candidate School located at Miami Beach, FL with the Class of 43C learning the military administration skills. He wrote a book in 1966 about handling military funds and retired a Lt Col.
LT
Gaskins, Aubrey S.
Lloyd Treadaway was his Instructor. He had Basic at Greenville and graduated at Craig Field, O-802281. He went to the Central Instructors School at Randolph Field, and then to the Central Instructors Instrument School at Bryan, TX. Then he was an instructor of BT-13A's and AT-6's at the Courtland, Ala. Basic Flying School for 16 months. He volunteered for B-29’s and was in a replacement pool when the war ended. He later returned to active duty.
Gedeon, Richard Joseph
Lloyd Treadaway was his instructor. He graduated from Craig Field. He was a P-47 pilot assigned to the 404th Fighter Group 507th Fighter Sqdn flying missions in Europe.
2nd Lt.
From OH
Gerdes, Byron W.
SGT
From OH
Born 1920
Died 1980
Goodwin, Alonzo W. Jr.
S/N: O-803369. He was B-17 pilot assigned to the 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe.
LT
Goodwin, Earl G.
Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-802739. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe.
On Mar. 14, 1944 he flew and was witness to a B-17 shot down by fighters on a mission to Augsburg, Germany (MACR #3247).
LT
Grant, William W. III
He graduated from Craig Field. Later he was instructing at Courtland, Ala. where he spun in (and was killed) with a student in 1944. Information from Aubrey Gaskins who was also instructing there.
2nd Lt.
Graves, Robert B.
Per
Summary of his papers donated to Special Collections, Tuck Library, New Hampshire Historical Society, he went to Preflight training at Maxwell, then to Primary at Douglas where he failed the final check flight and was sent back to Maxwell for reassignment. He was sent to Selman Field, Monroe, LA for navigation training and then to Coral Springs for training by Pan American Airlines for how to navigate over water. He graduated as 2nd Lt and was sent around the country for transition training, learning to work with a crew. He ended up in B-17s with the 385th Bomb Group, 549th Bomb Squadron in the 8th Air Force based at Great Ashfield in Great Britain. He became a Captain, flying thirty two missions over Europe. He was discharged after the War but was recalled for Korea in Sept 1945 and was assigned to B-29s.
Hanchey, Homer L.
He flew transport planes in the Southwest Pacific Area with the 433rd Troop Carrier Group, 69th Troop Carrier Squadron. Homer made Capt. in the Reserve. He was a pilot for Airlift, Inc.
Capt.
Wife: Connie Hanchey
Of Miami, FL.
He died about 1988.
Hitch, Daniel R.
Graduated from Craig Field, O-802387. Then instructed. Later went to B-29 Flight Engineering program. Eventually he was in the Texas Air National Guard.
LT
Holland, Hessel H.
Holland washed out in Basic at Gunter Field. He graduated as a bombardier with the Class of 43-12 at Midland AAFd on August 26, 1943. He was B-24 bombardier assigned to the 459th Bomb Group 757th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Southern Europe. He flew 52 missions with the 459th Bomb Group. See
http://www.459bg.org/Holland_Hessel_H9155_459BG.cfm - he was awarded the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. After the war he went to Georgia Tech. Then had a career as a Manufacturer's Representative.
1st Lt.
Wife: Sara Holland
Of MA, later of Atlanta, GA.
Holland, Robert L.
2LT
Born 1922
Died April 4, 1944
From NY
Holmes, Roger N.
Enlisted 26 Aug 1940. S/N: O-802753. Served until 31 Jul 1965.
LT,
retired Lt Col USAF
Birth: Apr. 30, 1922 in Chicago
Death: Nov. 30, 2008 in San Antonio
Burial: Sunset Memorial Park
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Hughes, Tudor Reid
Enlisted 23 Apr 1941. Washed out in Basic at Gunter. Became a 2nd Lt.
Born 07 Nov 1916.
Died Aug. 19, 2000 Utica, NY.
Buried Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, NY
Johnson, R. M. (Max?) Jr.
Kaniuka, William M.
S/N: O-803018. He was a P-38 pilot assigned to the 347th Fighter Group 68th Fighter Sqdn flying missions in the South West Pacific Area. On Nov. 22, 1944 on a mission to Makassar Strait, his plane was hit and he belly landed. He got out of the plane onto a life raft. The Japanese were nearby and probably took him prisoner or killed him, as search planes could not find him later (MACR #11035).
1LT
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, per American Battle Monuments Commission.
Born 1923, Died 1944.
From PA (please note that several websites have an incorrect date of death).
Landrum, Charles or Clyde W.
Levine, Howard J.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. If the same person, he may have received the DFC, the Air Medal with 3 oak clusters, and Presidential unit citation, as a 1st Lt. at age 24 on Sept 5, 1944 (per U.S. WWII Jewish Servicemen Cards, 1942-1947).
Linney, John T. Jr.
S/N: O-803027. He graduated with the Class of 43D and had possibly been reassigned to Napier Field, as an instructor pilot. On May 20, 1943, he was flying an AT-6C (S/N: 42-49024) out of Napier Field and was killed near Hyman Field, Ala. after crashing his plane into the ground.
2nd Lt.
Born 1923
Of Chatham, GA
Love, Richard J. "Dick"
His instructor was Kenny Cormell. He had Basic at Montgomery, Ala, and Advanced at Dothan, Ala. He went to the Pacific and flew P-39's and P-38 "Lightnings." He served 18 months followed by another tour of 6 months in the Pacific and was Commander of the 68th Fighter Sqdn. "The Lightning Lancers". He received the D.F.C, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Cluster, and other ribbons and citations.
Lupole, William H.
He graduated with the Class of 43E at George Field in Illinois, S/N: O-804363. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe and was shot down on February 25, 1944. He bailed out over Saarbrücken, Germany, and became a POW. In February 1945 he was repatriated back to the U.S. and spent time in Walter Reed Hospital (MACR #2862) .
2LT
From PA
Majesky, Joseph J.
Born April 25, 1921.
From Onondaga County, NY.
Died July 3, 2012
Marski, Edmond L.
Washed out in Basic at Gunter.
Matukaitis John P.
Enlisted 10 Feb 1942 at Ft. Devens, Mass. Washed out in Basic at Gunter. Served as a SSgt in the Army Air Forces.
Born Jan 25 1917 in Massachusetts,
died December 4, 2004.
Miller, Charles E. Jr.
S/N: O-802770. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 2nd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Southern Europe. On December 14, 1943, he was co-pilot of B-17F (S/N: 42-5050) on a mission to the Eleusis, Greece aerodrome when his plane was hit by enemy fighters. He bailed out and became a POW (MACR #1482).
2LT
From VA
Miller, William V.
Believed to be in the Chicago, Ill. area. Salesman there about 1960.
Montwid, William L.
He was assigned a serial number, S/N: O-578639 (Air Corps), as part of the Class of 43C at the Officers Candidate School located at Miami Beach, Florida on April 16, 1943. He became a ferrying pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command, 7th Ferrying Group based at Gore Field located near Great Falls, Montana and primarily flew P-39s and B-25s to Alaska. He was discharged March 1946.
1LT
From 43 Burnott Avenue, Maplewood, NJ (as of March 1946).
See
FindAGrave.
Morgan, Russell D.
He graduated with the Class of 43D at Napier Field, S/N: O-803035. He was a transport pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command based in India and flying supplies over the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains into China.
CPT
From WI
Morton, Ray M.
A Ray M. Morton, born about 1917, was discharged in Feb. 1943 due to physical problems. He had been in Lawson Gen. Hosp., Georgia.
Munro, Delmer D.
Described as an aviation cadet, age 20, in 1942 when he obtained a marriage license to marry Jenny Margaret Golombaski in Genessee County, Michigan. It is not known what he did during the War.
On Oct. 18, 1945, he re-enlisted as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Benning, GA (see
National Archives).
Later he became a physics and science teacher at Twining High School. In 1959-1960, he was a traveling science teacher sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Michigan State University and gave lectures and informative demos to high school students [
Wilmington News-Journal (Wilmington, Ohio) 19 Jan 1960, Tue, Page 5].
Born 22 Apr 1922 Twining, MI.
Died 27 Apr 2006.
Nugent, William A.
S/N: O-803039. He was B-24 pilot assigned to the 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Southern Europe.
LT
From IL
O’Conner, Richard J.
On Mar. 29, 1943, he was flying an AT-6C out of Marianna, FL and was killed when his plane crashed into the ground 12 miles west of Georgiana, AL.
Ondre, Edward E.
Charles Culbertson was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated S/N: O-801898 and served in the A.T.C. ferrying aircraft in Africa and Italy. He stayed in the A.F. for a 22 year career. After that he flew for Pacific Southwest Airlines. He retired with about 29,500 hours flown.
LT, later Lt. Col.
Of San Diego, CA.
Oppel, Adam
Started Oct. 23, 1942. Paul Schlundt was his instructor. He washed out at Douglas. He served as a sergeant.
Originally from Daggett, MI.
Enlisted in Buffalo, N.Y.
From West Seneca, NY,
died May 27, 2014, age 96
Orlowski, Arthur
Paul Schlundt was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated as a bombardier with the Class of 43-11 at Midland AAFd on August 5, 1943. He was a B-24 navigator/bombardier assigned to the 453rd Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Sqdn flying missions from England. He flew 32 missions. On his 17th mission on April 22, 1944 he was injured when his plane was attacked by a Ju 88 near the English coastline as they were on their way back to the base.
Click here for his account of the attack. (MACR #4781). He instructed for a year on return to the U.S.A. As a civilian he was a Tool Engineer.
1LT
From IL, later of Spring Hill, FL
Osadnick, Jerome A. "Jerry"
Paul Schlundt was his Instructor. He was at Basic at Gunter and Advanced at Columbus, Miss. S/N: O-802776. He was a 1st pilot on B-17’s at Sebring and later at Pyote, TX. Also bombing training at Dalhart, Tx.
Then he was sent to England in the 13th Combat Wing, 569th Bomb Sqdn. 390th Bomb Group and had 20 missions. He was also in the 93rd Bomb Sqdn, 390th Bomb Group. On D-Day + 6 days, he was landed in France to transport urgently needed supplies into France and transport wounded, prisoners, VIPs, etc. out. He did that for 6 months.
Petterson, Owen D.
Paul Schlundt was his Instructor. He went to Gunter for Basic and graduated from Advanced at Dothan, AL. Next he volunteered as an Instructor at Tuskegee, Ala. He stayed there for 2 1/2 years teaching Basic & Advanced in AT-6’s. He was made Capt. just before being discharged.
Capt.
Wife: Valaree Petterson - he married Valaree on Apr 29, 1943, just 2 days prior to graduation.
Of Deer Park, Tx.
Pierpont, George Hobart
Paul Schlundt was his first Instructor. He started in 43C, was delayed to 43D. Then Benny Painville took over. George had Basic at Gunter & Advanced at Blytheville, Ark. S/N: O-802781. He was in the 308th Bomb Group, 375th Bomb Sq. in Chengkung, China. On Aug. 31, 1944, during a mission to Liuchow, China to bomb shipping, his B-24J (S/N 44-40831) went missing. He and all of the crew were never found (MACR # 8020). See
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/44-40831.html
2nd Lt.
He was from Salem, Va.
Post, Robert William
He entered service on Feb 13, 1940 and entered the aviation cadet program some time later.
Robert and his Instructor, James Puryear, were killed in a PT-17 (41-8344) while practicing maneuvers. He stalled the plane while in a gliding turn at 500', and Puryear was not able to act in time to keep the plane from spinning to the ground.
Avn Cadet
Killed November 18, 1942;
born Feb 13, 1922.
He was from Lancaster, Pa.
Putek, Henry
He graduated with the Class of 43E at George Field in Illinois, S/N: O-804395. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe.
LT
From IL
Rawson, Frederick H.
Puryear and Allen Cadle were his instructors. He had Basic at Gunter Field. In Feb. 1944 he was shot down over Germany. He had a 23 year career with the Air Force. He retired from active duty in 1960.
Click here for more information.
Major
Wife: Arlene Rawson
Of Ellenton, FL.
Reed, Warren Stanley
He had Basic at Gunter Field. At that time, there was an excess of pilots and his check rider instructed him to fly in a certain direction. Without thinking he obeyed, only to realize that he was over a hospital (a restricted area). He was washed out for "Dangerous flying."
Reeder, William D. "Bill"
Dudley Reed was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter and graduated from Blytheville. He was in England with the 8th Air Force, 306th Bomb Grp. 368th Bomb Sqdn. flying B-17's. He had a 32 year career with the Air Force.
Click here to read his letter (a PDF).
Col.
Wife: Winifred Reeder
Of Clarksville, TN
Robeson, John C.
On April 24, 1943, he was flying an AT-6C (S/N: 42-48927) out of Napier Field, AL, when he ground looped a plane on his takeoff roll. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He went on to become a Lt Col.
LTC
Born Nov 01, 1919
Died Sep 24, 2006
Rockafellow, Lawrence E.
George Kalec was his Instructor. He had Basic at Greenwood, Advanced at Napier. Later he was with the 1st Air Transport Sqdn. Next he was in the C.B.I. Theatre and flew C-46's over the "Hump." Afterward he joined the Reserve and retired from it as a Major.
Of Homosassa, Fla.
Rosenzweig, Robert J.
He had Preflight training at Maxwell Field in October 1942. He washed out at Douglas.
Born May 21, 1917.
Died Mar 12, 2005
From Brooklyn, NY.
Runyan, Gilbert K.
Jim Puryear was his Instructor. Gilbert went with Robert Post’s body to Lancaster, Pa. after Post and Puryear were killed at Douglas. When he returned, he refused to fly (at his Mother’s request) so washed himself out.
was from Chester, Pa.
Russo, Arthur E.
He graduated as a bombardier with the Class of 43-9 at Midland AAFd on June 24, 1943.He was bombardier instructor at Gowen Field in Idaho.
See
http://fultonhistory.com
1LT, later Capt.
Born Jun 5, 1918
Died Apr 4, 1998
From NY
See
FindAGrave
Shulaw, A. P. (or Ralph P.?)
Sim, Robert E.
Washed at Douglas. He was seen at Ridgewood Air Station as a Ground Support man.
Smith, Herbert Arthur
Herb graduated as a 2nd Lt. at Napier Field (S/N O-803054). He became an instructor in BT-13’s at several locations in the U.S., including as a flight instructor at Greenwood Army Air Field located at Greenwood, Mississippi. He took P-51 training Aug. 1945. He then became a salesman and was active in the Reserves at Scott Field, IL. thru 1951. He went to Korea in Feb. 1953. From 1954 through Aug. 1971 he had a number of assignments around the U.S.
Colonel
Born 23 Nov 1919. Died 28 Dec 2002.
Wife: Betty Smith
Of Columbia, S.C.
Picture from Greenwood Army Air Field
Smith, Paul M. Jr.
He was a Student officer at Douglas. He had Basic at Greenwood, MS. and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He became a B-17 pilot. He served in the 384th Bomb Grp., 547th Sqdn. in 1943 & 1944. He was Killed in Action Feb. 22, 1944. He is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery at Liege, Belgium.
Click here for more information.
2nd Lt.
of New Orleans, LA
Smith, Stuart E.
1LT
From CO
Steele, Donald W.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was active in the Air Force Association (AFA) Unit #239 in Washington, and the chapter was renamed Donald W. Steele, Sr. Memorial Chapter of Northern Virginia, #239 in his memory in 1980.
TSGT
Born April 10, 1922
Died August 2,1979
Tanner, George A.
He graduated with the Class of 43E at George Field in Illinois, S/N: O-804423. He was a B-24 pilot assigned to the 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Sqdn flying 4.8 missions in Southern Europe and was KIA on July 2, 1944 over Budapest. Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. See
http://www.b24bestweb.com/fubar2.htm
1LT
From IL
Born Feb 28, 1921
Died Jul 2, 1944
See
FindAGrave
Toombs, Robert H. "Bob"
S/N: O-803066. He was a transport pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command based at Chabua India and flying supplies over the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains into China.
He was discharged at the end of the war. He returned to the service 2 years later and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1969.
LT later Lt. Col.
Wife: Mary Toombs
Of Louisville, Ky.
Trupp, Charles W.
Enlisted 03 Feb 1942. Advanced school at Greenville, Mississippi. Graduated with S/N: O-803067. He served in the Air Transport Command in the China-Burma-India theater. In February 1945, he received the Air Medal for 150 hours of operational flying. In April 1945, he was awarded an oak leaf cluster for his Air Medal. The Dayton newspaper reported that, also in April 1945, he received the DFC for 750 hours of flight, including flying supplies from India to China starting in November 1943.
LT
Born 1921
From Montgomery County, OH
Tucker, Erwin Dale
S/N: 17028598. He served at Chanute Field in the personnel service branch and died December 13, 1956.
Avn Cadet then S/SGT
From KS
Vicks, Emil C. Jr.
Emil graduated and was in the Air Transport Command flying to Africa and back.
1st Lt.
Wife: Jean Vicks,
Of Eden Prairie, MN
Virag, Andy R.
S/N: O-802493. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe. On November 21, 1944 he was flying B-17G (S/N: 44-6600B) on a mission to Germany when his right wing was hit by another plane. The plane had been on top of his plane in formation and when the other plane skidded off to the right, it nicked Virag's wing. The right aileron may have been knocked off. He salvoed his bombs and dropped 5,000 feet below the formation. It is likely the crew bailed out and he became a POW, imprisoned at Barth Germany (MACR #11198). See
http://www.303rdbg.com/359virag.html
1LT
From OH
Walser, Walter A.
S/N: O-808192. J.B. Knox was his instructor. He washed out at Douglas. Later he was a navigator in the 8th A.F., 44th Bomber Group, 68th Bomber Sqdrn. He became a P.O.W. in Switzerland after his B-24J was seemingly damaged in some way returning from a mission to Friedrichshafen, Germany. They landed safely at Dubendorf Switzerland, and the entire crew was interned. (See MACR 3410 and MACR 800.)
2nd Lt.
Of El Paso, Texas
Weese, Arsace V.
Enlisted Dec. 10, 1941. J.B. Knox was his instructor. See
FindAGrave
PFC
Born Oct. 9, 1920
Died Sep. 25, 1965
From Weber County, Utah
Williams, Norman R.
J.B. Knox was his instructor. He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was a bomber pilot assigned to Langley Field in Virginia, where he flew training missions for radar operators out over the Atlantic Ocean.
CPT
From NY
Wood, Clifford M.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was a ferrying pilot assigned to Homestead Army Air Field for training with the 20th Operational Training Unit of the ATC.
Young, Thomas E. Jr.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-802822. He was B-17 pilot assigned to the 370th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Sqdn flying missions in Europe. On March 26, 1944 he was a co-pilot on a B-17 that was shot down by anti aircraft fire. He bailed out and became a POW and was imprisoned at Barth Germany (MACR #3592).
2LT
From MS
Zeece, George
He was a B-17 gunner in the 8th Air Force and was impaired by a serious case of hypoxia. On his 19th mission his oxygen mask came loose and fell to the bomber floor. The B17 pilot was going through all types of maneuvers to escape the German M109 fighters. The loss of oxygen at 30,000 feet gave him brain problems that lasted through his life. Received Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
SSGT
From MN
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