Class 1943-H – 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-H
Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers on approximately Aug. 28, 1943
Abernatha, James Kenneth
Enlisted 19 Jun 1942
Born Jan. 5, 1916
in Williamsport, PA.
Died Jun. 4, 1970.
Pennsylvania.
Atkins, Donald Charles
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL.
from Pennsylvania
Austin, Norman Drexel
Bill Bright was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from George Field, IL Aug. 30, 1943. He graduated from twin engine and transitioned to B-17’s at Chanute Field, IL. In May of 1944, he was sent as a replacement to fly B-17's in Italy with the 15th A.F., 2nd Bomb Group, 20th Bomb Sqdn. He flew 27 combat missions over the south of France, Germany, Hungary, Austria, northern Italy and Rumania. On July 22, 1944, after engine trouble in his B-17 G (S/N: 42-31452) made him feather his number 2 engine and drop out of formation, his plane was shot down by fighters over the Ploesti oil fields. All on the plane bailed out just before the plane exploded, but the radio operator's chute failed to open. Austin was a prisoner of war in a school house in Bucharest until the Rumanians capitulated to the Russians on Aug. 23, 1944, and he along with 1150 P.O.W.s were flown out on B-17's in early Sept. (MACR #6949)
1st Lt.
Wife: Marcella Austin
Of Tomah, WI
Awards: Air Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, 3 battle stars.
Barker, Donald G.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL, and graduated at Marianna Air Field, FL, S/N: O-810291. Was assigned to Warner Robins A. F. B.
Of Islington, MA.
Basquill, John J., Jr.
John washed out at Douglas. He became a Radio Operator, S/N: 13080216. He was with the 15th A.F., 97th Bomb Group, 414th Bomb Sqdn in Italy. On July 22, 1944 while in a B-17 J (S/N: 44-6260) on a mission to bomb Ploesti, Rumania, his plane was hit by flak and the right wing was on fire. The plane started down. The crew bailed out before the plane blew up. He was a P.O.W. (MACR #7094)
TSgt
Wife: RoAnn Basquill
Of Henderson, NV.
Born Feb. 6, 1919
Died Nov. 21, 1997
Buried Sect L, Grave 731, in Southern Nevada Veterans' Cemetery, Boulder City, NV.
Behrens, John A.
Roommate of Norman Austin. Bruce Campbell and Paul Plaginos were his instructors at Douglas. He graduated from George Field, IL. Then instructed in Basic at Newport AAFd. Later flew C-47’s in India.
Wife: Fern Behrens
Of Tomah, WI.
Bell, W. W. (possibly William W.)
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, Squadron E. A William W. Bell (S/N: O-743750) became a bombardier in the 454th Bomb Grp, 737th Bomb Sqdn flying in B-24s. Their plane was hit by flak and crashed in Barcelona Spain in April 1944, and he and the rest of the crew were interned in Spain. He and the crew were returned to Allied control on June 6, 1944 (MACR 4629).
Bentley, Claud R.
Enlisted 26 May 1942.
Bieryla, Sylvester L.
Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out at Douglas. Served as a SGT in the Army Air Force.
Born October 24, 1921
Died April 08, 2002.
Buried St Mary's Cemetery Of Greenwood, Scranton, Pa
Billings, Frederick P.
He attended the Univ. of W. Virginia prior to the Service. Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL and Advanced at George Field, IL. graduating Aug 30, 1943, S/N: O-811317. He went with the 456th Bomb Group at Boise ID. He flew as a B-24 copilot with the 456th Bomb Group 744th Bomb Squadron based at Stornara, Italy. Click
here for his bio and pictures (a PDF). Born Apr 3, 1920 in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Retired as Capt.
Married to Gayle Billings.
Raised in Tunkhannock, PA. Later lived in Pittsburgh, PA.
Black, James C., Jr.
Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out at Douglas.
Blakeslee, Frank F.
Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out at Douglas but remained in the Air Force during World War II and Korea.
Capt.
Born Feb. 9, 1917
Died Nov. 3, 1989
Buried St. Mary's Cemetery
Wilkes-Barre, PA
See
FindAGrave
Boyd, John B.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, Squadron H. He likely became the B-25 pilot in the 345th Bomb Group’s 498th and 499th Squadrons in the Negros Islands, Philippines. In 1945, his plane suffered an explosion and a large hole caused by a hung up parafrag (a small, fragmenting bomb attached to a parachute).
Read about it here. Boyd brought the plane down safely despite the damage.
Boyd, John W., Jr.
Enlisted May 08, 1941. Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out at Douglas.
Born 1920
From Shannon County, MO
Brasell, Lewis B.
Re-enlisted Boca Raton AAF, FL on June 24 1946 as a Staff Sergeant
SSGT
Cash, Leonard P.
Basic at Gunter Fld, AL, graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-811333. Was assigned to 2nd A. F. at Boise, ID. Later was in the 456th Bomb Group flying B-24's in Italy.
from Maine
DeLancey, Robert F.
Served in the South Pacific stationed at Hickam Field in Hawaii.
Born May 2, 1921
in York, PA
Died Mar. 23, 2008.
See
FindAGrave
Edwards, Arthur R.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, Squadron G at Douglas.
Follmer, Harold William, Jr.
Harold had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Marianna, Field, FL. S/N: O-810344. and was assigned to Tallahassee. He was in the 405th Fighter Group 511th Fighter Sqdn. Harold was killed Dec. 18, 1943 when a propeller came off of a P-39 that he was flying, at Congaree, S.C.
Of Selinsgrove, PA.
Geary, Thomas E.
He may have been the Thomas E. Geary who flew in the European Theater. Per the obituary of Thomas E. Geary he received the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was promoted to Technical Sergeant at 21 years of age for “meritorious achievement” while participating in numerous bombing attacks against military and industrial targets in Western Europe (per obituary in Salem News).
Possibly born on November 7, 1922 in Danvers, MA.
Possibly died October 24, 2013 (per obituary in Salem News).
Gerrity, Frank R.
Bud Gillespie was his Instructor at Douglas. He went to Gunter Field, AL for Basic and to George Field, IL. for Advanced and graduated Aug. 30, 1943, S/N: O-813663. His 1st assignment was the 2nd Air Force at Boise, ID. He flew B-24’s. He was shot down Feb. 25, 1944 over Yugoslavia on a mission to Regensburg, Germany. He spent 15 months in a P.O.W. Camp at Stalag Luft, Barth, Germany. He was liberated by the Russians May 3, 1945. He became a lawyer and was with the F.B.I.
1st Lt.
Born: July 1, 1920
Wife: Margaret Gerrity.
Of Scranton, Pa.
Goodall, Wilson
He attended N.C. State U. prior to military service. He had Basic at Gunter, AL & graduated from George, IL. S/N: O-811366. Wilson was in the 15th A.F., 456th Bomb Group, 746th Bomb Sqdn. He was copilot of a B-24 G (S/N: 42-78256) with Capt. Frederick W. Hyde, Jr. as pilot, leaving Stornara Field in Italy. His plane was shot down and he was killed while over Blechhammer, Germany on Aug. 22, 1944. His ship received a direct flak hit on the left wing after "bombs away". Flame erupted around the tail and the plane fell off to the left. Only two men survived. (MACR #8006) It is believed he was killed on his 50th mission.
1st Lt.
From Scranton, PA.
His body was recovered at Steinbirn on Aug 22, 1944 and was buried at local cemetery Mechnitz, District Neustadt.
Gotwalt, Robert Stuart
From York, PA
Born January 17, 1921
Died October 26, 1995
See
FindaGrave
Griggs, Charles Warren
Had basic at Gunter Field, AL, graduated at Blytheville, IL. S/N: O-810139. He was with the 382nd Bomb Group 872nd Bomb Sqdn (Very Heavy Bombs). See
Roster of Officers 382nd Bomb Group.
1st Lt.
Born 1923
Of Norfolk, VA
Grill, Irvin P.
He enlisted 03 Apr 1941. He washed out.
Born 1919 in Wisconsin.
Lived Chicago, IL.
Guest, Buddy Ross 'Bud'
Bill Sager was his Instructor. He washed out while at Douglas and was sent to the Weather Service. He served in England. He retired from the Air Force Reserve (Intelligence) as a full Colonel. Then he was a Geography Professor at the Northern Illinois University at DeKalb. He retired from this in 1986. Click
here for his bio and pictures (a PDF).
Born Apr. 11, 1920
Col.
Wife: Virginia Guest
Of DeKalb, IL. and Lincoln, NE.
Guilfoyle, Thomas Francis
Born Jul. 16, 1919
Died Sep. 18, 1983
See
FindAGrave
Hall, Harry J.
He may have been S/Sgt. 28th Bomb Wing (See
FindAGrave)
1920-1948
Hamilton, Wilfred LaRue
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was with the 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Sqdn flying B-24's in the European Theatre and flew 30 missions. See
http://www.492ndbombgroup.com
1st Lt.
From Pennsylvania.
Hartford, Pearlie Kenneth
From
his obituary: He worked on the family farm until joining the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. He was stationed on the west coast at the time of the Pearl Harbor bombing and continued to serve his country until his honorable discharge in 1945.
Born December 2, 1917
Died June 21, 2010.
Lived in Unionville, Missouri
Healy, Daniel Joseph
Frank Presley and Roy McDonald were his instructors. He went on to Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. for Basic but washed out. He became a navigator (S/N: O-709366). On July 21, 1944, he was navigator on a B-24J (S/N: 42-110034) on a mission to Germany. Near Munich, the plane was attacked by enemy fighters. The crew bailed out and he became a P.O.W. at Luft-Stalag #1 located near Barth, Germany (MACR #7805).
Heath, Andrew Howard
S/N: O-810366. Per his obituary:
WWII Fighter Pilot, career military man.
Major.
Born 28 Nov 1917.
Died August 31, 2017 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Burial City Point National Cemetery Hopewell, Virginia
Hemleb, John A.
He had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811379. Assigned to 3rd Air Force at Greenville, SC. Final rank: Major.
from New Jersey
Born Apr. 24, 1921
Died Feb. 18, 1999
Buried Arlington National Cemetery See
FindAGrave
Herbert, Lloyd Herring
Lloyd had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from George Field, IL. S/N: O-811381. Later he was with the 492nd Liberator Grp, 858th Bomb Sqdn. He married Anna at Scott Field, IL. in Aug. 1943. On May 19, 1944 he was the pilot of a B-24J (S/N: 44-110153) that was shot down while on a bombing mission to Brunswick, Germany. The aircraft was attacked by approximately 50 enemy aircraft: Me 109's and FW 190's, in the Hannover area. The plane dropped out of formation and 8 chutes were seen to open. The aircraft was seen to go down through the undercast still under control. However, the entire crew was lost (MACR #5240). Anna remarried and became Mrs. Anna M. Croghan.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Anna Herbert
Of Frederick, MD.
Hodges, Jack H.
Bill Sager and then Rumpler were his instructors at Douglas. He graduated from George Field, IL. He went on to twin engine training at Lawrenceville, IL. and Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas for C-47 training. He was then with the 316th Troop Carrier Group in England.
Click here for his bio and picture (PDF).
Holland, George J.
After graduating from Marianna Air Field, FL, he instructed at Gunter Field. He taught B-24's with B-29 turrets for gunnery students at Harlingen Army Gunnery School. He stayed in the Reserve and was recalled during the Korean War to teach flying training for B-25 radar navigators; then he went on to Okinawa in Air-Sea Rescue. He retired as a Colonel. As a civilian he was an Engineer for the Boeing Aircraft Co. for 40 years until retiring in 1992.
Col.
Wife: Kathleen O'Laughlin Holland
Of Uniontown, WA
Howe, John A.
Born 1921 New York
Died Nov 19, 1974
Hoyne, Jerome A.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, Squadron F.
Enlisted in Chicago on 14 Jun 1941.
Lt. Col. upon retirement.
Born Aug. 28, 1918 in Illinois.
Died April 3, 2004.
See his
obituary here.
Hurwitz, Julius Nathanial 'Jay'
He became a navigator/bombardier (S/N: O-698120). He was in the 498th Bomb Group 875th Bomb Sqdn (Very Heavy Bombs). On Jan. 3, 1945, he was navigator on a B-29 (S/N: 42-24748) on a bombing mission to Nagoya, Japan. Upon the return from the bombing run, the plane disappeared and all 11 members of the crew were determined to be killed in action (MACR #10853).
2nd Lt.
Wife: Ruth Hurwitz
Of Dayton, OH
Jacobs, Edwin Harold
He had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811387. He transferred to the 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Sqdn from the 2AF 18th Replacment Training Wing at Salt Lake City. On May 8, 1944, he was killed in a mid-air collision between 3 B-17's near Perleberg, Germany when one of the bombers in the formation got caught up in prop wash and came down on top of Jacobs' plane, knocking his plane's tail off completely. The tail fell and damaged the B-17 below him (MACR #4554). All three planes crashed and nearly all crew members from the planes were killed.
Trenton, New Jersey.
Jez, Thaddeus F.
Was a tail gunner in the 467th Bomb Group, 791st Bomb Squadron. On Aug 6, 1944, he was killed in Action (KIA). Shot down by flak and crashed at Hamburg in B-24 "Wallowing Wilbert" #41-29421 (Source:
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/208468)
SSGT
From Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Johnson, Olin Laurence
He had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL.
He probably went to Bryan Army Air Field Instructors School, Bryan, Texas. (Source Fulton History). He became a pilot-instructor, according to his wedding announcement [Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, New York) 02 Aug 1950, Wed, Page 3].
Married Jean O'Neill on Aug. 19, 1950 in Binghamton, NY
Jurgensmier, Walter Mathias
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
1st LT
Born Jan 24 1917
Died Sep 4 2003 Logan, OH
Jurkens, John Henry
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. Served in both World War II and the Korean War.
1ST LT, CAPT
Born Feb 01, 1922
Died Jan 07, 2013.
Buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.
Kane, Richard Weidner
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. He was at Tuskegee AAFd Advanced Flying School, per Aviation Archeaological Investigation & Research web site.
Kavenagh, Edward C.
Born November 22, 1922 in Akron, OH.
Died June 17, 2003, York, PA.
Kinney, Lyle Wilson
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
See his
obituary here.
Born May 30, 1919, in Collison, IL
Died Nov. 4, 2009
Kinnucan, Rex E.
He became a navigator (S/N: O-700808) in B-17's with the 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Sqdn and served in missions over France and Germany. See
http://351st.org/ for a list of his missions.
1st Lt.
Kipp, William J.
He became a bombardier (S/N: O-757074) in the 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Sqdn. On Apr. 11, 1944, he was navigator in a B-17G (S/N: 42-97086). The plane was hit by flak over the Danish peninsula and lost 2 engines. The plane went into a steep dive and crashed at Osterby, near Flensburg, Germany before Kipp could bail out (MACR #4008)
2nd Lt.
IL.
Kniznick, Alfred Franklin
He became a bombardier/navigator (S/N: O-698128) with the 499th Bomb Group 877th Bomb Sqdn (Very Heavy Bombs). On June 1, 1945 he was bombardier in a B-29 (S/N: 44-0083) on a mission to Osaka Japan. The plane was leading the first airborne squadron. Fifteen to twenty seconds before "bombs away" the plane was hit by a heavy burst of flak just forward of the bomb bay. The aircraft pulled up and to the right to avoid collision with the aircraft on its right wing, and then it fell off and crashed. Kniznick was killed. His grave marker is in the Manila American Cemetery, Manila City, Philippines (see
Find-A-Grave).
1st Lt.
Wife: Edna B. Kniznick
Revere, MA
LaMar, Eugene Alvin
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810171. He was with the 15 A.F., 485th Bomb Group 831st Bomb Sqdn. On July 20, 1944 he was co-pilot on a B-24J 1944 (S/N: 44-40886) with a crew of 10 on a mission to Friederickshafen, Germany. The plane was shot down by five FW-190s in the vicinity of Vittorio Veneto, Italy. The number 2 engine was hit and something exploded in the nose. LaMar bailed out at 23,000 feet. He was reunited with some of the rest of the crew on the ground, and the Italians assisted them in returning to Allied lines (MACR #6914).
Wife: Betty L. LaMar
Washington, D.C.
Luft, John Leonard
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811411. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Boise. Later he flew B-24s in England with the 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Sqdn and flew 31 missions. After that he hauled gas and other supplies to the front lines in B-24 bomb bay racks.
Read his bio here (PDF).
1st Lt.
Wife: Gladys Luft
Of Minier, IL.
MacDaniel, Edward Charles
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He flew 33 missions in B-17's from England with the 96th Bomb Group. He then returned to the U.S. as an instructor pilot of B-17's and B-29's.
Click here for his bio (PDF).
1st Lt.
Wife: Tilarr MacDaniel
Of Los Angeles, CA
MacFarlane, Menzies James
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from George Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811413. He was assigned to the 2nd AF. at Salt Lake City. He flew B-17's with the 8th A.F. 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Sqdn in England. He was released at the end of the war. He stayed in the Reserve to attain the rank of Lt. Col. At that time he was instructing in B-29’ s.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Marilyn MacFarlane
Of Pleasant Grove, UT.
Died in 1983.
Malavich, Charles
Was a SSGT
Mastalski, Joseph J.
He became a bombardier (S/N: O-692501). He was with the 483rd Bomb Group 816th Bomb Sqdn. On Jul. 18, 1944 he was a bombardier on a B-17G (S/N: 42-107172) on a mission to Menninghem Aerodrome, Germany. The plane was shot down and and he was reported MIA. It was about his 33rd mission.
2nd Lt.
PA
Mauer, Martin
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He became a B-24 Pilot with the 15th A.F. in Italy. He flew 52 missions.
Wife: Mary Maurer
Of Sandy Creek, NY.
McCloskey, Eugene J.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Marianna in FL. S/N: O-810396. He flew P-47’s in the 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Sqdn from England over Belgium and France. He supposedly bellied in on a street in Belgium, fully armed, and walked away from it. After the War he was with the Blue Cross, Blue Shield in Southern New Jersey.
1st Lt.
of Jessup, PA.
Died about 1990
McGoldrick, Arthur R., Jr.
Enlisted in the Air Corps on 24 Sep 1942
Born 1920
From Shelby County, TN
McKeague, Edward P.
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from George Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811419. He was in the 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Sqdn. On June 12, 1944, he was pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 42-97883) with a crew of 10 on a mission to Rosières-en-Santerre in France. The plane was hit by flak over Dunkirk. No. 3 engine caught fire and the fire spread to engine 4. Engines 1 and 2 were also damaged. He left the formation in a dive in an attempt to put out the fire, but each time he levelled out the fire would start again. While flying parallel to the English coast, he ordered his crew to bail out. He was the last to leave the ship, at 800 feet. He was picked up by a life boat, probably from the Royal Navy, but several others in his crew drowned, failed to open their chutes, or were M.I.A. (MACR #6521). McKeague died a few days later.
Monk, Carl F.
Became a nose gunner on B-24s in the 459 Bomb Group, 757 Bomb Sqdn. On July 24, 1944, his plane was shot down on a mission from Italy to France. The crew bailed out. Later they were returned to the U.S. (MACR 6998)
SSGT
Morrison, Creel H.
S/N: O-887210. He was in the 9th AF 422nd Night Fighter Squadron.
1st Lt.
Mountjoy, Jesse Thomas
Rundlett was his instructor. Graduated from Marianna Army Air Field in FL, S/N: O-810399. Was assigned to Tallahassee, FL AFB. He was in the 405th Fighter Group 509th Fighter Sqdn. On July 31, 1944 he was flying a P-47D (S/N: 42-75454) when it developed engine trouble. He called on the radio that he was bailing out, but he was killed (MACR #7924). He received the Army Air Medal, four Oak Leaf Clusters.
Nessline, William Scott
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. Pyote AAFd, Texas in the 19th Combat Crew Training Station (B-17s). He was killed in a flying accident Mar. 21, 1944.
O'Neill, Michael J.
He died when the B-24 he was in struck a mountain peak in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa on its way overseas. See
FindAGrave. He was the 449th Bomb Group, 719th Bomb Squadron Staff Intelligence Officer.
2nd Lt.
Born Apr. 20, 1910, Charlestown, MA
Died Dec. 8, 1943, Morocco
Ostrow, Irving
He became a navigator, per Selman Field During WWII, Turner Pub'l Co.
1st Lt.
Otwell, Edward C.
See
FindAGrave. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps and a navigation instructor in Georgia.
Born Jul. 23, 1916
Died Aug. 12, 2003 in Flourtown, PA
Overhultz, Herbert Shepard
Twin engine pilot, graduating from George Field, in class of 43K. See Wingspan: Class 43K - George Field, ILL.
FL
Owen, Fred D., Jr.
Enlisted 10-24-1941.
TEC 4.
Born August 06, 1919 in Alabama
Died August 01, 2006.
Buried Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, AL
Parker, Robert Elswort
Rundlett was his instructor at Douglas. Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. S/N: O-811431. He was in the 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Sqdn flying B-17s.
Paul, Oscar
Enlisted May 27, 1942 from Virginia
Pawlukanis, Leo Christian
Rufus Rundlett was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. and graduated from Marianna Army Air Field in FL, S/N: O-810406. He was assigned to the Tallahassee A.F.B., FL. and later was flying with the 8th Air Force 406th Fighter Group 512th Bomb Sqdn in England. He was killed by enemy anti-aircraft while over France on Aug. 4, 1944. He is buried in France.
Click here for more info.
of Tulsa, OK.
Died Aug. 4, 1944
Peck, Harland Kenneth
Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810210. He was with the 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Sqdn (H). He flew 34 missions and completed his tour of duty on Sept. 18, 1944. See
http://384thbombgroup.com/
2nd Lt.
Porter, Albert S., Jr. "Bud"
Ted Roman was his Instructor. He was washed out because he could not land the plane and tended to "ground loop." He was sent to radio school in Sioux Falls, SD and then to Kingman, AZ for gunnery school. He went to MacDill Field in Tampa to become a member of a crew of a B-17. Because he was 5'7" he was reassigned to the ball turret. His crew went to Europe on the Queen Elizabeth, where they were in the 95th Bomb Group. On his second mission, his plane was hit by flak and lost 2 engines. They did a forced landing in Belgium. He flew 9 missions. Bud was president of the 8th Air Force Historical Society of S. Carolina.
born in 1921
Raised in Elizabeth, N.J. Later of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
For a transcribed detailed and interesting interview with him, see
oralhistory.rutgers.edu/
Raftery, Patrick Henry, Jr.
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He received a Purple Heart and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
1st LT,
retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Col. (per
FindAGrave)
From LA
Born Aug. 20, 1921
Died Apr. 3, 2008
Ramsay, William W.
Possibly LT COL HQ 5 Air Force, per
FindAGrave
Born Nov 2, 1917
Dec 14, 1963 (assuming this is our man on FindAGrave)
Raymond, Robert Bell
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
Resch, Thomas Joseph
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810221. He was with the Dodge City AAFd Bomber Pilot Training School (B-26C). He was killed in a flying accident on Apr. 17, 1944 (in MN), per Steve Burris.
2nd Lt.
IL
Reynolds, Emerson L.
He washed out at Douglas (but Orders show he graduated from Blytheville). He served in the U.S.A. He was a Crew Chief at Galveston and Colorado Springs in the Instruction Indoctrination Unit.
Sgt.
Wife is Esther.
Of Webster, MA.
Rhodes, Clifford Conley
DuPraw was his instructor. Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810222. He was in the 1st Combat Carrier Group, 1st Combat Carrier Sqdn and at Stuttgart, AR AAFd Advanced Flying School.
2nd Lt.
Of Alexandria, VA
Ritchie, Robert J.
DuPraw was his instructor at Douglas. Graduated from Marianna Air Field, FL, Flight Officer T-61225. Assigned to Tallahassee, FL AFB. He was in the 8th Fighter Group 36th Fighter Sqdn (P-38). He was missing in action or buried at sea, Mar. 13, 1944, and is on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. Air Medal, Purple Heart. (
http://www.abmc.gov/)
Of Amsterdam, OH
Roberts, Hylton P.
DuPraw was his Instructor. He completed Primary but left flight training in Basic. He served in other capacities during the war.
Rodgers, Harry Lewis
Dupraw was his instructor. Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL., S/N: O-811442. Assigned to 2nd Air Force at Boise, ID.
Rogan, Albert F.
Ashley DuPraw was his instructor at Douglas. He was a navigator in B-24's in the 90th Bomb Group 319th Bomb Sqdn in the Pacific theater. Air medal and three oak leaf clusters. See
Find-A-Grave.
2nd Lt.
Of Cleveland, OH
Wife: Elaine Rogan
Died Nov. 19, 2009, age 92.
Rojas, Manuel J.
Flight Officer S/N: T-2055. He was a bombardier in the 320th Bomb Group 441st Bomb Sqdn
Rosenthal, David
He was a bombardier (S/N: O-757036) in the 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Sqdn. He was killed in action Sept. 5, 1944. He is buried in the American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Citations: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart. (
http://www.abmc.gov).
1st Lt.
NJ
Gerald M. Rosenthal
Became a Radio/Gunner in the 310th Bomb Group and 340th Bomb Group, flying in B-25s in Italy (per Fold3).
T/Sgt
From Calif.
Ross, Bernard E.
He was a navigator (S/N: O-698780) in the 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Sqdn. On April 2, 1944, he became missing in action during the mission to Steyr, Austria. He became a P.O.W. Luft-Stalag #1 located near Barth, Germany (MACR #3582;
http://www.450thbg.com/)
2nd Lt.
MN
Rowell, Milton Leon
Hoeffler was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Marianna Army Air Field in FL as a Flight Officer T-61226. He was assigned to Tallahassee next. Later he was serving in the South Pacific in 35th Fighter Group 41st Fighter Sqdn flying P-47’s and P-51's.
Capt.
Wife: Jeanne Rowell.
Of Mobile, AL.
Ruehlman, Marvin J.
Enlisted 07-09-1942.
Born 1921
From Hamilton County, OH
Sanderson, Richard Gregory
He had Basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. and graduated at Marianna Army Air Field in FL. S/N: O-810421. Then assigned to Tallahassee. He served with the 79th Fighter Group 85th Fighter Squadron in the Italian Campaign.
He had 92 Missions— C.T. CD. (completed tour).
Awarded the D.F.C.; Air Medal & 3 OLCs.
1st Lt.
Of Trenton and Mendham, N.J.
Satterfield, F. E.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, Squadron H at Douglas.
Schwarz, Glenn
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was in the 459th Bomb Gp., 756th Bomb Squadron in Italy flying B-24's. He received the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. See
http://www.459bg.org/
1st Lt.
Schwein, Robert G.
He became a bombardier (S/N: O-757044) with the 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Sqdn, per First Over Germany: A History of the 306th Bombardment Group by Russell A. Strong.
Lt.
OH
Simmonds, William Edward
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. Pueblo, CO. Army Air Base 19th Technical Training School. He was killed in a flying accident Feb. 17, 1944. Thirteen minutes after taking off from the Pueblo AAB in an AT-23A (a target-tug version of the B-26 Marauder) at very low altitude, the plane went out of control and slammed into the ground at a steep angle and burned. Four men died in the crash.
2nd LT.
Botetourt Co., VA
Simmons, John Sylvester, Jr.
He graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He flew B-17’s and B-24’s with the 8th Air Force, 486th Bomb Group, 835th Bomb Sqdn. He flew 35 combat missions over France, Germany and Belgium. He received the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and the D.F.C.
Click here for a picture of him with his crew.
Major
Wife: Virginia Simmons
Of Danville, VA.
Smith, George Douglas
Joe Thalman was his Instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Advanced at George Field, IL. S/N: O-811457. He went to the 8th A.F., 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Sqdn, 3rd Air Division in England. He flew 34 missions. He was released in Mar. 1945. Then he went to Georgia Tech. and became an Engineer.
Click here for his military bio with his comments and list of awards (PDF).
Capt.
Wife: Mary Jo Smith
Of Chattanooga, TN.
Sowers, Paul William
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He went into B-24’s. He served in the 8th A.F. in England, 385th Bomb Group, 550th Bomb Sqdn. He flew 35 missions in B-17's. He received 4 air medals and 2 D.F.C.s. He said that he had relatively easy combat experience with only a few engines shot out, losing an engine with a resulting fire over the North Sea, and a prop falling off from the heat and fire. He became a dentist after the War.
1st Lt.
Born Nov. 5, 1920 Spencer, NC
Wife: Betty Sowers,
Of Orlando, Fla.
Spence, John Frederick
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He became a B-24 Pilot. He later transferred to the Troop Carrier Command.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Faye Spence
Of Penn Valley, CA.
Died: June 5, 1994.
Springer, Jack C.
Played high school football. (6 of the players went into pilot training. 4 were killed in training. 2 finished.) Jack went to Washington, D.C. in 1940. Was in the Dept. of Justice, Identification Dept of the F.B.I. He enlisted in the A.A.F. Was called Nov. 11, 1942 to Maxwell Field for preflight. Douglas for Primary, Gunter Field, AL for Basic. He graduated from Blytheville Field, Ark. and was assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. Then to Tucson. He flew the Atlantic by way of S. America and Dakar. They went between two 70,000’ thunderstorms on the way. St. Elmo’s fire all over the plane. Then to England A German JU flew along for a while. No shots were fired. The Col. welcomed him as the 1st American to land on his Base. They put in bullet proof glass. A piece of shrapnel broke the glass but it saved his life. It would have hit him in the neck. At 16 missions he had battle fatigue. Was sent to Scotland, saw Shakespeare country. Back to flying in the 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Sqdn, and he had a quota of 20 missions. When he reached 18 the quota was raised to 25. When he had 23 the quota was raised to 30. When he reached 28 it was raised to 35. He gave thanks when it was raised no more. He was awarded the D.F.C., Air Medal with 4 clusters and a battle ribbon with 4 stars. He stayed in the Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel
Lt. Col.
Of San Angelo, Texas
Born May 26, 1926.
Stalter, William Joseph
Lloyd Annin was his Instructor at Douglas. William graduated from Marianna Field, FL. S/N: O-810428. He was sent to Tallahassee. He served in the 12th A.F., 79th Bomb Grp.
86th Bomb Sqdn, in the Mediterranian area. He flew 96 missions in P-47’s. After the war he became an Architect.
1st Lt.
Wife: Anna Stalter.
Of Barton IL.
Stang, Alan John
Had basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Marianna Field, FL. Flight Officer S/N: T-61227. Was assigned to Tallahassee, FL AFB. He was then in the 406th Fighter Group 512th Fighter Sqdn. On April 9, 1945, he was flying a P-47D (S/N: 44-32948) on a mission to Hanover, Germany when he was hit by flak and his plane crashed. He was killed (MACR #14457).
1st Lt.
Of Chicago, IL
Starnes, Dayton Arthur
Lloyd Annin was his instructor at Douglas. He had basic at Gunter Field, AL. and Advanced at Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He taught advanced flying in B-25's at George Field, IL. He was then sent to Cerignola, Italy with the 15th A.F. 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Sqdn. He was wounded and required skin grafts but he wanted to stay in Europe. So he got a job with the Mediterranean Allied Air Force and flew VIPs, generals, spies, etc. He received a Silver Star, Purple Hearts, air medal and 9 battle stars. He retired as Lt. Colonel.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Lorraine Starnes
Of Charlotte, NC
Starr, Samuel E.
SGT
Born Sep. 7, 1921
Died Nov. 4, 1990
Buried Bay Pines National Cemetery, per
FindAGrave
Steele, Vaughn S.
Presley was his instructor at Douglas. Vaughn had Basic at Gunter, AL. and Advanced at Blytheville, Ark. S/N: O-1683579. Then he was checked out on B-24's. Went overseas to Italy in the 376th Bomb Group 512th Bomb Sqdn and flew 50 missions including 5 over Ploesti. Later he became a Railroad Engineer.
Click here for his bio and pictures.
1st Lt.
Wife: Phyllis Steele
Of Pasco, Wash.
Steitz, Warren C.
He became a bombardier S/N: O-762132. He was with the 351st Bomb Group HQ (
The 351st Bomb Group (H) 1942-45 by Peter Harris & Ken Harbour). He was in the D-Day invasion of June 7, 1944. For a list of his missions, see
http://351st.org/.
Capt.
Stekl, Miles R.
of Fox Lake, formerly of Chicago
Died May 02, 2006
Stevens, John Gus
Presley and Roy McDonald were his instructors. Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated from Marianna Army Air Field in FL as Flight Officer T-61228.
Stevens, Raymond Robert
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL. and Advanced at Blytheville Field, Arkansas. John Fraser was the 2nd of his 2 Instructors at Douglas. He was delayed to class 43I. He went into bombers and to Italy. He was in the 15th Air Force, 376th Bomb Group, 512th Bomb Sqdn. He was involved in a serious crash. He later joined the Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1960.
Lt. Col.
Of Wesley, Iowa.
Stichtenoth, William E.
Enlisted April 15, 1941
Born 1918
From Baltimore City County, Maryland
Stieber, Harold Joseph
Allen Cadle was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Canter Field and graduated from George Army Air Corps Field, Lawrence County, IL. He flew in W.W. II in the 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Sqdn and was recalled for the Korean War. Afterward he became a C.A.A./F.A.A. Inspector, checking navigational aids and flight standards.
1st Lt.
Wife: Wanda Stieber.
Of Kerrville, TX. .
Stines, Harrison Oberdorf
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas (S/N: O-810252).Then flew bomber and navigator trainees at Selman Field Navigator School (in AT-7s). He was a First Lieutenant in the USAAF reserves in 1947.
Stone, Harold William
Allen Cadle was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Marianna Field, FL as a F.O. T-61229. and was assigned to Dale Malbry Field at Tallahassee, FL. He flew 100 plus trips over the ‘Hump’ (650 Hours) with the Ferry Command, Air Transport Command--India/China Division. He was discharged in 1945. Afterwards he spent 43 years with Eastman Kodak Co.
1st Lt.
Wife: Virginia
Of Rochester, N.Y.
Stotts, Lewis T.
He was a bombardier with the 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Sqdn, per Bombardier - A History (Volume 1) by Philip A. St. John.
Strand, Robert Earl
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810253. He was sent to England with the 8th Air Force, 384th Bomb Group, 546th Bomb Sqdn on April 12, 1944 and flew 32 missions in B-17s. See
http://384thbombgroup.com. After the war he went to the Univ. of Michigan and became a Mechanical Engineer.
1st Lt.
Wife: Mary Jane Strand
Of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Suffness, Arthur H.
Enlisted from Mercer County, New Jersey on 26 May 1942.
Born 1921 in Alaska.
Then from New Jersey.
Later of Pompano Beach, FL
died December 27, 1998
Sunds, Elvin Henry
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
Szabo, Alex
Served in 8th Air Force during D-Day.
SSGT
Taylor, Garland Edward
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
Tebbs, George V.
Died July 17, 2009
Thomas, Vernon William, Jr.
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. S/N: O-810260.
Thompson, Harold Kirk
Born September 15, 1920; died March 18, 2015
Wife Geraldine (Buchta) Thompson
Tilton, Russell E.
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Marianna Field, FL. S/N: O-810435. He went to England on April 2, 1944 and was with the 406th Bomb Group, 512th Fighter Sqdn . He was killed in a flying accident over New Romnay England on April 21, 1944 in a P-47D. He was interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery Brookwood, about 30 miles southwest of London.
2nd Lt.
of Minocqua, WI.
Born Jan. 20, 1923
Tolsma, George Donald
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N: O-810264. He was in the 485th Bomb Group 830th Bomb Sqdn. and flew 50 missions. Received the D.F.C.
See roster list at
http://www.485thbg.org/Personnel/PDFs/Personnel.pdf
Capt.
Died June 28, 2007, Age 85 (see
obit).
Wife: Betty
Towne, Richard C.
Had basic at Gunter Field, AL, graduated from Marianna Field, FL. S/N: O-810438. Was assigned to Warner Robins AFB., GA.
Of Southgate, CA
Van Camp, James Harding
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. Later flew B-24 bombers overseas in the 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Sqdn and returned to U.S. afterwards.
Capt.
Of Wapto, WA. and ID.
Westrem, John Robert
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. Later flew overseas and returned to U.S. afterwards.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Lt Col
from California
Born 30 March 1923 and died 27 January 2008
Buried at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
Wetherall, William J.
Enlisted October 05, 1942 in Cook County, IL
Born 1922
Wiley, Ramon Keith
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas.
Williamson, Ralph Irving
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Advanced at Marianna Field, FL. S/N: O-810448. He went into fighters in the 352nd Fighter Group 487th Fighter Sqdn. He was killed in action in a P-51B (S/N: 42-106468) on Apr. 9, 1944. He is buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery,
Cambridge, England. Purple Heart (
http://www.abmc.gov).
Texas
Wilson, Gilbert James
He was delayed to class 43H from 43G. Basic at Gunter Field. Graduated from Blytheville Army Air Field, Ark. S/N: O-810274. He was with the 301st Bomb Gp. 352nd Bomb Sqdn. On July 18, 1944 he was the pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 42-102943) with a crew of 10 on a mission to Memmingen Aerodrome, Germany. The plane was hit by enemy aircraft. He became a P.O.W. in Luft-Stalag #1 located near Barth, Germany (MACR #7310).
2nd Lt.
Born Apr. 1, 1920
Died Feb. 24, 2002.
Wife: Ada Pearl Wilson
of Indiana, Toledo OH, and Douglas, GA
Winters, Lawrence Franklin
Had basic at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. Graduated Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas. He was with the 487th Bomb Group 838th Bomb Sqdn flying B-24's. See
http://www.487thbg.org/.
Wirth, Joseph
Presley and Roy McDonald were his instructors at Douglas. Had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, S/N O-810277. He was a pilot in the 22nd Bomb Sqdn, 341st Bomb Group. On May 29, 1945 he was flying a B-25J with a crew of seven on a mission to destroy locomotives between Vinh and Quang Tri in French Indo-China. His plane had a forced landing in a rice paddy field about one mile west of the village of Lam Cau, French Indo-China. He was taken prisoner and taken to the Japanese Gendarmerie jail at Vinh. On June 1, he was transported to Hanoi, his last known movement; it is not known if he arrived at Hanoi. Three of the seven crew members are known dead: 1 KIA and 2 died as POWs while trying to escape. Four, including Wirth, are still unaccounted for (MACR 15434).
Wolberg, Donald M.
S/N: O-712330.
He was in the 322d BOMB GP (M) as a navigator/bombardier in B-26's in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theater of war (Bombardier - A History (Volume 1) by St. John, Philip A.). He was shot down in April of 1945, wounded and exchanged for prisoners, per B-26 veteran web sites.
1st Lt.
Born: 18 Mar 1923
Possibly originally of IL
Died: 8 Jan 1994
Kingston, PA.
Woodruff, Deward
Enlisted July 07, 1942.
From Nueces County, Texas
Born 1919
