(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers Jan. 7, 1944, with some graduating Dec. 31, 1943
Adkins, Boyd N.
Graduated from Turner Field, Albany GA (twin) on Feb. 8, 1944, class of 44-B, S/N: O-820877. Assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. Flew 69 missions in P-51s over Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands while serving with the 359th Fighter Group, 368th Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force.
He brought down two German fighter planes and drove off others as they attacked U.S. bombers. See
image from http://www.spitfireperformance.com/
Of Wheelersburg, OH,
originally of Stilner, WV.
Allen, Harry Guy, Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820694. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He was assigned to the 448th Bomb Group 715th Bomb Sqdn as written in the online book "A Replacement Crew in the ETO" by John C. Rowe.
He drowned as the result of a boating accident in 1966 at 45 years of age.
Amdur, Harry "Hank"
Was in the 450th Bomb Group, 720th Squadron. After the war, he returned to Brooklyn where he owned and drove a cab.
He re-enlisted and served in Korea flying C-54's. He retired a full colonel. See
http://www.450thbg.com/ for excellent pictures of him and his crew.
Arvay, Frank Joseph
Paul Plaginos was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, O-820443. He went into P-40’s. Later he flew P-47’s. After the war he was with the Western Electric Co., then with Bell Labs.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Millette Arvay
Scotts Plains, N.J.
Ashba, Robert E.
A. Bruce Campbell was his instructor at Douglas. Robert washed out of Primary and became a Gunner and Navigator on B-24's. He was 19 years old when he went to Italy and flew his first mission on Aug. 29, 1944. His 35th and last mission was on Feb. 7, 1945.
Read his remembrances of his service here (a PDF).Lt.
Wife: Joanne Ashba
Lima, OH
Beckerman, James Sherman
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820702. Then became a Co-Pilot on a B-24, 726th Sqdn. 451st Bomb Grp. 15th A. F. On Aug. 22, 1944 he was co-pilot on a B-24J (S/N: 42-51300) with a crew of 9 leaving from Castelluccio, Italy on a bombing mission on the Lobau oil storage installation at Vienna, Austria. Approx 30 enemy FW-190's fighters attacked and severly damaged his plane. The plane pulled off to the left of the formation and 4 distinct explosions were seen before the aircraft went down. After the last explosion, the tail separated from the airplane and it went fluttering down without a tail and in flames. Approx 8-9 parachutes were seen. He was captured and became a P.O.W. (MACR #8002)
Wife: Margery R. Beckerman
Of Willoughby, OH, possibly later from California.
Beeman, Lyman Arpin
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820446. He served in the 309th Sqdn. 31st Fighter Grp., 15th A.F. He flew P-51’s from San Severo, Italy from July 1944 to Nov. 19, 1944. On this date he hit a tree while on a straffing mission (30th). He was able to get enough altitude to bail out. He spent 3 weeks in a Bratislavia prison and 6 months as a P.O.W. in Stalag #1 at Barth, Germany. Won the DFC and the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters.
Betts, Fremont Arthur “Pete”
He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, Jan. 7, 1944, S/N: O-820704. He flew 32 missions as a B-24 pilot in the 489th Bomb Group in England. He was awarded the D.F.C. and Air Medal. He stayed in the Services as a Pilot and Ground Electronics Officer. He retired Feb. 1, 1965.
Blasko, John J.
He was in Squadron E and had E. G. Bellah as instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field on Jan. 26, 1944. Then assigned to Barksdale A. F. B. Later he flew 62 combat missions in B-26's in the 320th Bomb Group from Corsica and Sardinia. He received the air medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. In 1948 he became active in the Illinois National Guard and retired in 1964 as Capt. Afterward he was an Air Traffic Controller at Chicago, IL.
Click here for his bio (a PDF).
Blocker, Olin B., Jr.
His stay at Douglas was short lived. He washed out prior to solo. He became a gunnar on a B-24 in England. After having nasal surgery in England, he was grounded and did office duties in squadron headquarters for the duration of the War.
Wife: Charlotte Blocker
Chamblee, GA.
Bockus, Van Cornelius, II
He graduated from Bombardier School with the Class of 44-7 at Carlsbad Army Air Field on 20 May 1944. He was in the 8th Air Force, 305th Bombardment Group, stationed in Chelveston, England. He was awarded the air medal for meritorious achievement in air combat.
Click here for his obituary.
Boone, Ray
S/N: O-1998606. He graduated from Freeman Field with the Class of 44B probably as a Flight Officer, prior to serving in the 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron located at Ridgewell, England. He received his commission in England. He became a 1st Pilot on a B-17. He married in 1946 and had 4 children. He stayed in the military for 33 years. Then he worked for a railroad, retiring in 1988.
Major
Wife: Sue Boone
Okolona, MS. 38860.
He died July 29, 1990.
Bornstein, Seymour
Ken Landis was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820708. He was in the 449th Bomb Gp 716th Bomb Sqdn. According to a ROTC site at University of Missouri found in 2013: "1LT USAAF, Paterson, N.J. killed in plane crash at Bari, Italy, while returning from a bombing mission over the Ploesti Oil Fields, 7-9-44, Air Medal, Purple Heart".
He was killed in aircraft 42-78366 (a B-24), which is associated with the Westbrook crew that crash landed after being hit by flak after a mission to Ploesti.
Clifton, N.J.
Bovers, William H.
He was a B-24 Navigator in the 494th Bomb Bp, 373rd Bomb Sqdn and in the 14th AF, 308th Bomb Group, 373rd Bomb Sqdn, a.k.a. the Flying Tigers. See
http://www.findagrave.com
Buchanan, Joseph Baxter, Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820710. He stayed in Albany to instruct in AT-11's and B-25’s for one year. He was a pilot in B-17’s for 13 missions with the 452nd Bomb Group, 730th Bomb Sqdn flying his missions from Deopham Green in England. He returned to a B-29 school at Sioux Falls, S.D. He was discharged at the end of the war.
Memphis, TN
Buckner, James C.
He washed out at Douglas. He became a Navigator and served with the 358th Bomb Sqdn, 8th A.F. in England. They flew 17 missions and on the 18th mission their B-17B (S/N: 44-8590) severely crashed on takeoff. His knee was wedged in the camera well area, and later it was learned that his knee cap was broken (see
http://www.303rdbg.com). He was released at the war’s end. He went to a seminary and became an Episcopal Priest.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Marie Celeste Buckner
Big Sandy, TX. formerly of Waycross, GA
Carberry, Finlay Hector
Enlisted September 05, 1942. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820714. He served as a B-29 pilot and instructor.
He was employed as a quality assurance engineer with McDonnell-Douglas until his retirement in 1988.
[Source: his obituary at
GenealogyBuff.com].
Born Jan. 2, 1922, Centuria, Wisc.
Died Nov. 8, 2001, Bremerton, WA
Cavanaugh, Dennis Albert
Gordon Bellah was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820458. He was shot down while flying with the 55th Fighter Group and was a POW.
Chase, Dudley S.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant. S/N: O-1051904. He became a navigator and was in the 044th Bomb Gp 066th Bomb Sqdn. On Mar. 19, 1945 he was navigator on a B-24J (S/N: 42-51907) with a crew of 11 on a mission to Neuberg, Germany. The plane had been hit and was flying on two engines when it was attacked suddenly by fighters. It quickly went into a spin and crashed. Not all of the crew had time to bail out, and he was among those killed (MACR #13574).
1st Lt.
East Cleveland, OH.
Note: his picture may be misidentified. It is believed his picture is actually that shown for William H. Ray
He is buried in
Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold,
Lorraine Region, France
Choinski, Adrian Richard
He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon. He graduated from Spence Field on Jan. 4, 1944, S/N: O-820460. He flew 96 missions in P-47's in the 314 Fighter Sqdn, 324th Fighter Gp. He became a salesman. He was recalled to active duty for Korean War with the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1951 and flew F-80's and F-86's. He then started Adrian Real Estate in Milwaukee.
Chung, George T.
Philadelphia, PA
Clemence, Kenneth W.
Ken Landis was his instructor at Douglas. He washed out in Basic at Macon and became a Bombardier and Navigator. He was with the 494th Bomb Gp 866th Bomb Sqdn (per the 494th Bomb Grp web site in 2013). After the war he became an Oral Surgeon.
1st Lt.
Wife: Carole Clemence
Elk Grove, WI.
He died in early July of 1994.
Colvin, John E.
Ken Landis was his instructor at Douglas.
Jacksonville, FL.
He died in 1984.
Coon, Manderville Fred
Took training as a navigator at Gowen Field, Idaho. He then went with his crew on July 9, 1944 to the Consolidated Aircraft Company, Topeka, Kansas, to pick up their B-24J - 42-50718 Liberator.
He was assigned to the 785th Squadron, 466th Bomb Group (Heavy), 96th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force at Attlebridge Airbase near Norwich, England, Station 120. He flew 35 missions over Germany and also missions to Scotland and France, following D-Day. He was well-known in the 466th Bomb Group and the 96th Combat Wing as one of the most accurate navigators in either. His payloads always hit the mark. This was confirmed by his co-pilot, James Lorenz.
Following the war, he returned to West Virginia and worked his way from bookkeeper to Secretary-Treasurer of Inland Mutual Insurance Company in Huntington, WV. He resided in Huntington until moving to Atlanta, Georgia to join the Economic Development Administration, Business Loan Division. He retired from Federal Service as the Director of the EDA Business Loan Division (Southeast).
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett E Coon.
Charleston, WV
He had one son and daughter, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He passed away at the age of 79, just two months short of his 80th Birthday on October 10, 1995.
Corder, William Myrle
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820722. Assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. May have been in 8th A.F., 36th Bomb Squadron - Radar CounterMeasures (RCM) Squadron (see
http://36rcm.com)
Memphis, TN
Craig, Joseph James
Joe Graduated. Was grounded for a while during the war. Later re-instated. He was discharged at the end of the war.
Wife: Mary Craig
Houtzdale, PA.
He died Oct. 8, 1986
Crews, John B.
Uniontown, AL
Darden, Paul C., Jr.
Lt. Thole was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field and graduated from Turner Field. He served as Co-Pilot on B-24’s with the 8th A.F.serving in the 453rd Bomb Group, 734th Bomb Squadron located at Old Buckenham, England. He flew 30 combat missions all with the same crew. He returned to the U.S. in Feb 1945 and was in Air Transport Command flying P-47's and P-51's
Davis, Nelson Jackson
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820680. He began his military career being trained as a paratrooper, but applied for and got aviation cadet status. He was trained as a B-17 pilot but before being sent to Europe, the War was over. He flew B-17 rescue missions in Florida and Guam. He then flew B-29's in Okinawa flying combat over Korea. Back in the States he flew the B-36 and B-52. In 1969 he went to Thailand as part of the Vietnam War. He stayed in the Air Force to retire as a Lt. Colonel.
DelaHunt, Robert Graves
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820725. He was credited with saving at least 10 lives as a pilot in the "Snafu Snatchers" (PBY Catalinas) air sea rescue squadron. His military separation (honorable discharge) papers of November 26, 1945 show that he was an attorney before his entrance into service on January 7, 1944, was competent to pilot a two-engine plane, participated in "Air Offensive Japan, Ryukus, China Offensive, Western Pacific, Southern Phillipines, Luzon," that he was awarded "Air Medal, Phillipine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 7 Bronze Stars, WD Cir 195/44, World War II Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal."
He was overseas and returned. He parked his plane and another one plowed into it. He was the only survivor.
Dolan, Ralph Harry
Landis was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA S/N: O-820545, in class 44B, and was assigned to Turner Field then Avon Park Army Air Field, FL. He became a B-17 pilot in England and
describes an incident over Magdeburg.
Rochester, NY
Birth: Oct. 25, 1922
Death: Jan. 30, 1995
Buried: Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, NC
Donovan, Harold Meade
Graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820727. He may have been a B-24 pilot in the 448th Bomb Group, as he mentions he was flying in South Carolina with an engineer in the 448th in a letter to the editor of the
https://www.b24.net/2ndADA-Newsletters/1989-Spring.pdf.
Henning, MN.
Born July 4, 1921, Died Nov 14, 1992 Peru Lasalle Illinois.
Fedyk, Raymond
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant, and Rundlett was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Moody Field, S/N: O-1586570. He was assigned to the Pilot School at Chanute AFB, IL. He flew B-17's serving in the 452nd Bomb Group, 728th Bomb Squadron located at Deopham Green Airdrome, England. He stayed in the service for 21 years and was qualified to fly B-52's.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Alyce Fedyk
Of Santa Maria, CA.
Frobom, Leo L.
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant and Joe Gray was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Macon, and graduated from Moody Field. He was in the 484th Bomb Gp 827th Bomb Sqdn as a B-24 Pilot, and flew out of Italy. See
http://www.484th.org
Gray, Fred Price
S/N: O-822695. He was in the 8th A.F. 384th Bomb Gp 544th Bomb Sqdn. where he flew at least 39 missions. On April 6, 1945, he was co-pilot of a B-17G (S/N: 43-39164) with a crew of 8 on a mission to Leipzig, Germany. There was a collision with another plane in the same squadron. No. 3 engine fell off, no. 4 was on fire, and the plane went into a flat spin and fell apart. Gray was killed (MACR #13850).
2nd Lt.
Hillsboro, AL
Born 26 Mar 1921; died 6 Apr 1945 (aged 24),
Altenhof, Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
See http://384thbombgroup.com for more information
Griffin, Charles Almon
Bill Bright was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated Dec. 31, 1943 from Spence Field, S/N: O-820428. He then instructed Basic at Greenville, Miss. Then went to B-24’s at Smyrna, TN. and on to B-29’s at Pyote, TX. Then the war ended. After that he was with the Chicago Steel & Iron Co. at their Greenville, PA. plant.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Velma Griffin
Greenville, PA.
Grodt, George Arthur
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820738. He was a copilot in the 458th Bomb Gp, 754th Sqdn (H) flying B-24's, completing his tour in Dec. 1944. See
www.458bg.com/crewja4cook.htm
Gronhovd, Gerhard Theodore
Gordon Bellah was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820640. He was with the 14th Fighter Gp. (per
www.14fg.org) He retired as a Major. He went into Computer Operations after his service.
Haertel, Dale Charles
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820484 on Jan. 7, 1944. He was in the 325th Fighter Grp. 15th A.F. in Italy. He flew P-51’s. On Nov. 21, 1944, he was flying a P-51D (S/N 44-15062) on a Fighter Sweep from Lesina, Italy on a Yugoslavia target. His plane was hit and he bailed out at 1000 feet (MACR #9958). He was seen to walk away and became a P.O.W. in 1944-45.
Capt.
N. Platte, Neb.
b. 06/09/1919,
d. 09/20/1998, buried Fort McPherson National Cemetery,
Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska
Hardee, Levi G., Jr.
He graduated from Moody Field, S/N: O-823365. Assigned to Pilot School at Maxwell Field. Probably flew B-17s with the Eighth Air force In England (See Galveston Daily News, Dec. 17, 1944, p. 6). Air medal anf 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Born: Jan. 18, 1920
Died: Oct. 1, 2006
Buried: Russell Cemetery, Jewett, TX (see
Find-A-Grave)
Of Galveston, TX, later of Kansas City, MO.
Wife: Glenna Jean Parker
Hayduk, Joseph
As a bombardier and navigator, he flew 47 combat missions in World War II between 1943 and 1945, in both the B-24 and B-29 Bombers. Joseph also served in the Korean War flying as the navigator in a B-29 Bomber. After the Korean War, Joseph was part of the Strategic Air Command until he retired in 1968 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Click here to see his obituary.Keiser, PA
Born on June 13, 1922 in Marion Heights, Pa.
Died on March 25, 2012 in Reston, Virginia
Hayes, Arthur LeRoy
Graduated in class of 44-B, S/N: O-823578. He was in the 097th Bomb Gp 342nd Bomb Sqdn. Source: from micro-film of General Orders for 15th AF.
1st Lt.
Of Sykesville, PA and of Indiana
Hayes, Andrew W.
Ken Landis was his instructor at Douglas. He went to Basic at Cochran Field, Macon. He graduated from Spence Field, Moultrie, GA as F.O. T-62126.
Connellsville, PA, later of Mobile, AL.
He died at his home in Mobile on Apr. 22, 1982
Hayes, Charles Williston
Graduated Turner Field, S/N: O-820744. He was in the 351st Bomb Gp 511th Bomb Sqdn. On Aug. 6, 1944, he was killed in action (MACR #7585). On about his 15th mission, his B-17 (S/N: 43-37920) was hit by fighters. He and the crew bailed out. He appeared to be unhurt when he bailed out. It was speculated that he was killed by Germans on the ground. Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Helen J. Hayes
Bearden, TN
Buried Plot A, Row 32, Grave 19 in American War Cemetery, Ardennes, France.
Hill, David A., Jr.
Chicago, IL
Hoagland, Charles William
He graduated from Turner Field S/N: O-820749. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City.
Pittstown, NJ
Born March 3, 1922
Died December 16, 2002
Howell, Elwyn Lawrence
He graduated from Spence Field (Sing.Eng.) Dec. 31, 1943. S/N: O-820656. He was in the 86th Fighter/Bomber Gp, 526th Fighter Sqdn. He was killed in Italy on July 5, 1944 when his airplane exploded during practice dive bombing [Source:
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 27 Jul 1944, Thu, Page 16].
See also
http://www.86fighterbombergroup.com reunion material, PDF p. 7.
2nd Lt.
Wellsboro, PA
Died July 5, 1944
Hudson, Charles V.
Obituaries that are probably his and his wife's suggest Maria Hudson, born Sept. 5, 1922, in Szolnok, Hungary, after meeting her future husband, Charles V. Hudson, Jr. in Austria during World War II, moved to New Orleans, LA in 1947, and spent most of her life there before retiring to Ocean Springs, Miss., with Charles. She died April 9, 2010. Charles Victor Hudson, Jr., 90 passed away Thursday, June 4, 2009. See
his obituary.
New Orleans, LA
Hudson, Donald Jerome, Jr.
Graduated Albany, S/N: O-820750 Assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He was in the 8th A.F. 467th Bomb Group, 789 Bomb Sqdn. On 14th October 1944 he was the pilot of a
B-24H (S/N: 42-52507 "Miss Judy") with a target of the Marshalling yards, Cologne, Ger.
After hitting their target, their ship fell behind. The ship suffered engine fire and severe vibration. Crew abandoned ship near the front-line in western Germany. He was KIA, nine other crew made POW (MACR #9489).
Johnstown, PA
Johnson, Edward G.
Delight, Ark.
Johnson, Ellery Walfred
Ken Landis was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, Jan. 7, 1944, S/N: O-820893. He was sent to Smokyhill AFB, Salina, KS to learn B-17's, Norden bombsights, radar scopes, and navigation. After the war he was in the Postal Service.
Johnson, Nelson R.
Clifton Forge, VA
Jones, Richard Lee
Gordon Bellah was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820894. He was assigned to the 306th Bomb Group, 369th Bomb Squadron. He had 34 combat missions and left the 306th on Oct. 24, 1944.
Jordan, Robert Edward
Oct 27, 1923 - Nov 30, 1946
He was killed in a hunting accident when he discharged his .22 rifle and the bullet went through his heart [see The Selma Times-Journal (Selma, Alabama), 01 Dec 1946, Sun, Page 10].
Wife: Olive Ward Jordan.
Judd, Ray Hufford
He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon. Graduated from Moody Field. Later was in the 12th A. F., 58th Bomb Grp. (Wing?). After the War he had a Ford Agency in Red Lodge.
Wife: Dorothy Judd,
Red Lodge, Mont.
Kahn, Albert
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, S/N: O-820760. He was in the 459th Bomb Gp 759th Bomb Sqdn. He was killed in action on Feb. 28, 1945. Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (see
http://www.459bg.org).
1st Lt.
Born: Oct 24, 1922
Died: Feb. 28, 1945
Buried: Temple Beth El Cemetery, Neptune City, N.J.
(see Find-A-Grave)
Of Asbury Park, NJ
Kaplan, Martin
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, S/N: O-820763. He was at Tyndall Field Flexible Gunnery School.
2nd Lt.
Philadelphia, PA
Keller, George Franklin
Graduated fran Moody Field, S/N: O-820765. On Aug. 8, 1945, Keller’s
B-29 (S/N: 42-603512) with a crew of 11, from the 20th Air Force, 9th Bomb Group, 5th Sqdn. stationed in Tinian, was badly shot up by fighters over the target of Yawata, Japan, but he was able to fly it to an area off the coast where the crew bailed out. 10-11 chutes were seen. The crew was in the water, and life rafts and Mae Wests were used to keep them afloat while a rescue was attempted.
He was killed in the bailout
(The rest of the crew survived after a harrowing
experience as prisoners of war.)
1st Lt.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Kelly, Thomas J.
Philadelphia, PA
Kijowski, Alex T.
He was in the 508th Fighter Gp 467th Fighter Sqdn. He also spent time in the Pacific area.
SSgt.
Ford City, PA, later Kittanning, PA
Born Sept. 18, 1917
Died Apr. 6, 1957 (see Find-A-Grave).
Kimberly, David Fountaine
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820770 Jan. 7, 1944. Was assigned to 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He flew B-24’s in WWII. He flew the 1st mission over Korea in a B-29. Later flew B-36’ s. The Air Force was his career. After retiring he was an Air Traffic controller at Nashville.
Click here to see his picture with his planes (a PDF).Major
Wife Marjorie McMurtry Kimberly
Nashville, TN, formerly of Iuka, Miss.
Born May 28, 1922
Died Aug. 14, 1978
Buried Greenbrier Cemetery, Greenbrier, TN
(see Find-A-Grave).
Koszarek, Alexander M. "Alex"
Alex graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820895. He became a B-17 Pilot with the 99th Bomb Gp. 348th Bomb Sqdn in the 15th A.F. and flew 10 missions mostly over Italy. After the War he was a Furniture Upholsterer.
Click here for his bio (a PDF).
2nd Lt., Capt.
Wife: Dorothy Koszarek
Wauwatosa, WI.
He died Dec. 31, 1964.
Koveleskie, John J.
He flew B-17’s in the 301st Bomb Gp., 419th Squadron during the war. He earned the DFC and Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters. Afterward, he operated a shoe store. See
http://www.301bg.com/1st. Lt.
Shenandoah, PA, then Selingsgrove, PA
He died July 4, 1978
Buried All Saints Cemetery near Elysburg, PA
Kraft, Roger Leonard
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820774. Was assigned to the 2nd A.F at Salt Lake City. He flew B-24’s in England with the 465th Bomb Gp 783rd Bomb Sqdn, then across Africa and Italy with the 15th A. F. On Sept. 22, 1944, he was pilot of a B-24H (S/N: 42-50404) on a mission to Germany. His plane pulled out of formation before reaching the IP, and he was interned in Switzerland (MACR #08737), possibly being returned on 03-23-45. After the war he got an Engineering Degree at Georgia Tech. He was also with the A. F. Wind Tunnel at Tullahoma, TN.
1st Lt.
Wife: Martha A. Phinazee Kraft
Tullahoma, TN, previously of Altoona, PA
Born: Dec. 25, 1920
Died: May 25, 2001
Buried: Rose Hill Memorial Gardens, Tullahoma, TN (See Find-A-Grave)
Krider, Carl G.
P. T. Harris was his instructor at Douglas. He washed after leaving training at Douglas. Carl went on to become a crew chief and line chief on a B-24 in the 455th Bomb Group, 743rd Bomb Sqdn. He volunteered for a secret mission to bring B-17s out of Yugoslavia (behind enemy lines) that had gone down returning from bombing missions.
Krzywicki, Stanley Charles Joseph
He graduated from Spence Field Dec. 31, 1943, S/N: O-820642. He was in the 362 Fighter Group. In Dec. 19, 1944 flying a P-47D (S/N: 44-19783) over Harskirchen, Germany his plane was hit by flak and was forced to land in Germany (MACR #11421).
Also he went down on Mar. 16, 1945 near Oberstein Germany (MACR #11421 - note same MACR number as above but different dates), bailed out.
Note that he is in a list of evaders at http://www.conscript-heroes.com/Art38-MIS-X-03.html, as follows: 362FG, 377 Ftr Sqdn (P-47) FTR Mar 1945 - returned to Allied lines 4 days later.
Forty Fort, PA
Legg, Kenneth A.
He was delayed in training and graduated with class 44B. After graduating he was an instructor in a Basic Flying School. He left the Service in 1949.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Jeanne Legg
Of Omaha, Neb. Previously of Nantucket, Mass.
Lewis, George M.
San Francisco, Calif.
Lingenfelter, John F.
On Aug. 21, 1943, he was involved in a crash in a PT-17 (41-8573) at Douglas.
He became an Army Air Forces flight instructor during World War II, per obituary at the
Washington Post, Thursday, February 11, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.comPunxsutawney, PA
Died Jan. 11, 2010 at age of 88
Lownds, Norman
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820643. He was in the 15th A.F., 52nd Fighter Gp., 2nd Fighter Sqdn. On Aug. 9, 1944, he was flying a Sq. Ltr. P-51C (S/N: 43-25078) on a bomber escort mission to Budapest, Hungary when his plane developed a glycol leak. His plane went into a wide spiral spurting glycol going down. It then went straight up, then straight down and crashed. He bailed out and became a P.O.W. (MACR #7301). He was in Birmingham, MI. 1950-54. Then was a Standard Oil Agent till about 1980.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Carole J. Lownds
Troy MI.
Believed to have died before Feb. 17. 1988
MacTaggart, Douglas Robert
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820898. He was a pilot of a B-17 in the 34th Bomb Group. In October 1944, won an Air Medal as pilot of a B-17 for attacks on military and industrial targets in Nazi Germany [Source:
The Daily Times (Mamaroneck, New York), 02 Nov 1944, Thu, Page 1].
See picture and article on him from 1945.
He eventually accumulated the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.
2nd Lt
Larchmont, NY
Mahoney, Francis Richard Joseph
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820642.
Worcester, MA
Mahood, William Redick "Bill"
Enlisted in the army on Aug. 6, 1939 and served 3-1/2 years in the canal zone. He returned to the U.S. and received training in the Air Corps for about 1 year. He was then sent back overseas. He was an Armorer-Gunner in the 9th A.F., 410 Bomb Gp. (L), 647th Sqdn. On Mar. 6, 1945 (acccording to MACR), he was part of a 3-man crew in an A-20K (S/N: 44-172) that left France for a bombing mission on Opladen, Germany. The plane went missing. He was first declared MIA then KIA (MACR #12930). He received the Air Medal with several Oak Leaf Clusters.
Maples, Carl Huley
Carl graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820683. He flew P-38’s in India. Later he was in B-52’s in England. After the war he was involved in missiles.
Capt.
Wife: L.P. Maples
Springhill, LA.
He died in 1968
Maree, Howard P., III
Rundlett was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated Spence Field on Dec. 11, 1943, S/N: O-820535. He was with the 8th A.F. 353rd Fighter Group, 351st Fighter Squadron flying P-51's. During escort of B-17 bombers on Jan. 14, 1945, he is described as having shot down a FW-190 whose pilot bailed out and later got onto a Me-109 and shot its right wing off.
He was a Lt. Col. and commander of 336 Fighter Sqdn (ACC) "Rocketeers" in Feb 1963.
Marksheid, Max
Rundlett was his Instructor at Douglas. He may have washed out and may have been the Max Marksheid, Technical Sergeant, Radio Operator in the 351st Bomb Group. The same person appears in the 8 June 1945 crash of a B-17 in which 20 American Airmen died while enroute back to the U.S. While approaching RAF Valley in low visibility the crew requested a course to steer and this was transmitted to them by RAF Valley. However the aircraft flew on the reciprocal course which took it inland towards Dolgellau. After a short while the crew realised the error and began a turn to starboard to take them back out to sea. Before this turn was completed it struck high ground close to the summit of Craig Cwm Llwyd on the southern side of the Mawddach Estuary, it travelled approximately 300 feet along the crags before its last impact where the wreck broke up and was destroyed by fire. His name is on the memorial at the site of the crash.
Marsh, Milton D.
Long Beach, CA
Martin, Bruce Albert
Jim Ritter was his instructor at Douglas. Bruce graduated in Jan. 1944 in Twin engine planes at Turner Field, S/N: O-820899. Then was checked out on B-17’s. He was sent to Foggia, Italy with the 301st Bomb Grp. 15th A.F. He flew 50 missions, some to Ploesti and other oil refineries. After he returned to the states he was assigned to A.T.C. but applied for Instrument training and received his instrument card. He then was instructing in C-47's when the War ended.
Matthews, Troy Raymond
S/N: 14030335. On Dec. 22, 1943 he was killed in an aircraft accident at Turner Field (GA) in an AT-10 (S/N: #41-27037).
Sgt.
from Winston Salem, N.C. in 1943.
McGraw, Robert F.
He washed out in Basic and ended up in the 11th A.F. Weather Sqdn. He served in the North Pacific. He was in B-45’s as a Flight Engineer. After the War he received a Master's in History at Harvard and became a History Professor at Worcester State College.
McIlwraith, Arnold G.
He was lost over the Pacific Ocean. He did not reach his destination. He was Engineer on a B-24.
McKain, Eugene Evan
He had the same Instructor as Harold Michaelson. He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820796. Was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. and to 7th Ferrying GP flying B-24J's.
Sacramento, CA.
Meireis, Elvin Carol
Haviland, Kansas
Mercer, Charles O.
He washed out and become a ball turret gunner with the 759th Bomber Sqdn, 459 Bomber Group. On Dec. 18, 1944, he was on a B-25-H (S/N: 42-95265) on a mission to Oswiecini, Poland. His bomber crashed into the Adriatic Sea north of Madfredonia, Italy. One parachute left the plane. One of the other crew member's body washed up on the shore 2 weeks later. No crew members survived. (See MACR #10685.)
Cpl.
Wife: Jacqueline K. Mercer
Washington, D.C.
Meseke, William E., Jr.
F.O. T-062190. He was in the 15th A.F. 485th Bomb Gp 829th Bomb Sqdn in Italy. Received the D.F.C.
1st Lt.
Linthicum Heights, MD
Michel, Fred Adolph
Fred graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820542 and went into fighters. He was killed in an accident at Ephrate AAB in the State of Washington in a P-39D on his last flight before going overseas. He was 22 years old.
Michelson, Harold
He washed out at Douglas with 26.5 hours. He went to Gunnery school at Tyndall Field, FL. Then on to Bombardier and Navigator school at St. Angelo, TX. He flew 40 missions in B-26’s and A-26’s (as lead navigator) with the 386th Bomb Grp. 554th Bomb Sqdn. After
the war he was in the movie industry.
Milidonis, Michael Mitchell
He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon and graduated at Spence Field, S/N: O- 820545. Was assigned to the Central Instructors School at Randolph Field. Next it was into B-26’s. See
his obituary.
1st Lt.
Wife: May Hope Milidonis
Wallace, MI. born on Dec. 19, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Died Jan. 5, 2016 in Gaylord, Michigan
Moderow, Orville Richard "Orv"
Lloyd Treadaway was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: T 62130. He flew in the S.W. Pacific (New Guinea) with the 348 Fighter Group, 460 Fighter Sqdn. for 158 missions. 95 were in P-47's and 63 in P-51's. Afterward he earned a B. S. in Business. He stayed in the Reserves and retired as a Major.
Click here for his bio (a PDF).
Major
Wife: Phyllis Moderow
(Summer) St. Cloud MN. (Winter) Mesa, AZ. Originally of Casselton, ND.
Born: 09/13/1921
Died: 03/18/1999
Buried: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery
Moffette, John Frederick
Rufus Rundlett was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820803. He was assigned to the AAF Pilot School at Maxwell Field. Later he flew B-24’s for 35 missions. He was with the 8th A.F. 467th Bomb Gp 789th Bomb Sqdn in England. After the war he became a Mechanical Engineer.
Click here for his bio (a PDF).1st Lt.
Wife: Eileen Moffette
Longmeadow, Ma.
Moore, Carlos T., Jr.
Was a relief pitcher for the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League in 1941. He went into the army in October, 1941. Went to Maxwell for Preflight training.
From Columbia, TN
Born 11 Apr 1920
Died 3 Oct 1985
Mulvihill, William Joseph
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany GA , S/N: O-820808. He flew flexible gunnery training missions at Apalachicola Army Air Field located in Northern Florida probably in B-17s and then was assigned to the 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron based at Deenthrope England.
Detroit, MI
Myers, Vernice E.
LTC.
Kirkwood, (St. Louis) Mo. in 1943.
1919-1987
Nagy, Steve Conrad
Rundlett was his Instructor at Douglas.
Pittsburgh, PA. in 1943.
Nelson, Blaine Flack
He graduated from Spence Field, Dec. 31, 1943, S/N: O-820554. He was in the 86th Fighter Group, 527th Fighter Sqdn in Tantonville, France. On Apr. 2, 1945, he was on a mission to Stuttgart, Germany flying a P-47D (S/N: 44-20983). The plane was caught in its own bomb blast, caught fire, and crashed from 400 feet. The bombs fell short of the target and burst directly under his tail. His plane was on fire, and he opened his canopy to bail out. He opened his chute and it trailed back along the plane. He was still in the cockpit when the plane hit the ground and blew up.
1st Lt.
Brigham City, Utah. in 1943.
MACR #13638
Niedrach, Kenneth E.
Avon, N.J.
Niehaus, Owen Quintin
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820558.
In his teens he designed a towline glider that set a world record. He took flying lessons and earned a private license prior to World War II. He signed up for cadet training in the Army Air Corps. After receiving his commission in Class 44A he was assigned as a flight instructor. Soon thereafter he signed up for helicopter training. He was one of the nation’s first 15 helicopter pilots, and in 1945 was the first person to test fire a 75 millimeter recoilless weapon from a helicopter. Two years later he became the second man in the free world to accumulate 1000 first-pilot hours in a chopper.
While in the military he was chosen to set up the Air Corps’ helicopter-pilot training school. When he retired from the military as a Captain he worked as a test pilot for Bell Aircraft Corporation in Niagara Falls, NY, soon becoming the company’s Chief Test Pilot for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. He had flown 67 different types of aircraft. [Source: his obituary found here].
Rochester, PA. in 1943.
February 18, 1923 - July 13, 2014
Wife Caryl Gramer Niehaus
Nielsen, Carl L.
Cooks, Washington
Nulty, Meredith J.
He continously got airsick and was discharged from the Air Force. He had many physical problems which caused his death in 1945.
Gloversville, N.Y.
Olson, Roy H. "Curley" "Ole"
He flew a B-17 in the European sector during World War II. At Terminal Leave from the United States Air Corps, he was a Major. He also flew the P-51 and the P-38. See
http://www.flyingtigerline.org/
Ostrander, Charles A.
Charles graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820813. He was assigned to Macon, GA. Then to the 8th A. F. and the 491st Bomb Grp. in England. He flew his missions in B-24’s and was discharged at the end of the war. He stayed in the Reserves for a time.
Capt.
Baldwin, Mo.
Died May 26, 1987.
Pabian, Frank J.
Hoeffler was his instructor at Douglas. He was appointed as a Flight Officer and assigned to fly B-24s with the 451st Bomb Group 726th Bomb Squadron based at Castellucio, Italy. Late in the war, he was commissioned as a 2Lt with this serial number: O-929770. He was discharged in 1945 and then recalled for Korea.
Parnell, Roland Cleveland
He began in the class of 44-A but left Douglas in the class of 44-B. See his entry in the class of 44-B.
From Ridgeway, S.C.
Paul, Larry E., II
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant and Ashley DuPraw was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated. He was killed in an A. F. plane crash in 1960-61. He was the first Iowa citizen killed in the Korean War. Paul’s son was also an A.F. Pilot.
Peede, Floyd Appling, Jr.
Sam Topous was his instructor at Douglas. Floyd graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820906. He flew 35 missions over Europe in B-17's and 56 more in Vietnam. He was with the 34th Bomb Group when on Feb. 26, 1945 when he was shot down and worked his way back through Russia to England.
Click here for his letter about his service (a PDF). He retired as a Col. in 1972. As a civilian he was a stock broker with Merrill Lynch Co.
Col.
Wife: Juanita Peede
Satellite Beach, FL. Previously of Albany, GA.
Pendleton, Hugh Kilgore
Ashley DuPraw was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820564. He flew P-47’s. At some time Hugh was involved in an aircraft crash. From then on he was confined to a wheelchair. He lived in California where he died in 1986.
Pensinger, Wilbur Carl
He had Basic at Macon and gaduated at Turner Field, S/N: O-820816. Later he was with the 306th Bomb Grp. 367th Bomb Sqdn. As copilot of a B-17, he was shot down on about his 13th mission by antiaircraft fire over the French coast. All crew members bailed out over German held territory. He was an evader and escaped through France (MACR #5898). He made the Air Force a career. Retired as a Lt. Col.
Lt. Col.
Wife: Viola Pensinger
Lady Lake, FL. Previously of Greencastle, PA.
Perchik, Simon
Annin was his instructor at Douglas. He was appointed as a Flight Officer (T-62192) and assigned to fly B-17s with the 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron based at Grafton Underwood, England.
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/ - he was an American poet with published work dating from the 1960s. One of his early works involved a bomber.
Peterson, Marvin Phillip
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820632.
May have died 3 Jul 1967 and is buried in Ft. Logan National Cemetery. If this is our man, he also served in Korea.
1st LT
Calumet, Mich. in 1943. Born 12 Jul 1917, Calumet, Michigan.
Phillips, John Gilkerson, Jr.
Elbert Solomon was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, Moultrie, GA, S/N: O-820567 Jan. 7, 1944. He then instructed at Eglin. Next he was flying P-47’s. The war ended before he went over seas. Then he went to Law School. He joined the Hercules Co. manufacturers of chemicals and rockets.
Click here for his bio and picture (a PDF).2nd Lt.
Wife: Monte Phillips
Of Stone Mtn. GA. Originally of Covington, VA.
Phillips, John M.
Laurel Del. He continued flying until he reached advanced at Spence Field. While there he dropped out of the Cadet program.
Phipps, Isaac C.
Charleston, WV.
Pierson, Arthur E.
On Aug. 13, 1943, he had a forced landing 8 Mi SE of Pearson, GA in a PT-17 (41-25536) due to weather.
After the war he was a New England Bell Telephone Supervisor.
Wife: Gloria Griffith Pierson
Arthur died Feb. 16, 1984
Pitchford, Leslie L., Jr.
Roanoke, VA
Porrello, Salvatore John
He graduated from Spence Field as F.O. T62133. After the war he became a commercial pilot with Eastern Airlines. See his
obituary here.
Bayville, L.I., N.Y. in 1943.
Born May 10, 1923 New York City.
Died March 6, 2019, Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis, FL 32726
Porter, Roger Winston
He graduated from Spence Field. S/N: O-820570. He was in the 359th Fighter Gp 369th Fighter Sqdn flying P-51's.
Prey, John Eugene
Ashley DuPraw was his instructor. He had Basic at Cochran Field and graduated with 44B at Moody, T 62431. He flew B-24’s in the 15th A.F. 98th Bomb Gp, 344th Bomb Sqdn. in Italy. He completed 49 missions over Germany, Austria and Ploesti. He was then a test pilot at Eglin field and did a tour of F-51 mustangs in Alaska in 1948.
Price, Raymond Ellis
Ashley DuPraw was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820820. Then assigned to Maxwell Field. Later he was with the 8th A.F. 389 Bomb Gp (H), 565th Bomb Sqdn. in England, flying B-24’s. He had flown 29 missions and on his last one, as pilot in a B-24J (S/N: 42-50612), on Christmas Day 1944, he was shot down and killed. The plane was attacked by about 15 fighters over Aachen, Germany (MACR #11106).
Pritchett, Harry Wooding, Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820821. Later he flew B-24’s in the 15th A.F., 464th Bomb Gp, 777th Bomb Sqdn. On Jan 20, 1945 on his 49th mission - a bombing mission on Austria, he had to bail out after his plane developed mechanical problems prior to the IP. He was rescued by a partisan, who hid him and 2 of his crew members for 4 days. Then they snuck through a German sentry at night. They went cross country until they reached a British agent who had a C-47 flown in to rescue them. They arrived back in Allied territory Feb. 18, 1945. (MACR #11388)
1st Lt.
Wife: Doris Pritchett
Danville, VA.
Przybyla, Ferdinand W.
New Bedford, MA
Died in about 1991
Purcell, William R. "Bob"
James Annin was his instructor at Douglas. Bob washed out at Douglas. He went to Greensburg, N. C. He graduated from Mechanics school there. He was the highest in his class and the 2nd highest ever. Then to Long Beach, CA. to the Douglas Aircraft school on A-26’s. Then to Ft. Myers gunnery school on B-17’s. Then to Amarillo’ s B-29 Electrical school. Then to Biggs at El Paso for overseas outfitting. Then to San Francisco. He arrived the night the war ended and orders were cancelled. Next to March Field, then Hamilton and back to March Field for discharge on Dec. 1, 1945.
Pursell, Chester W.
Wife: Evelyn Gornall Pursell
Died on July 14, 2002, at Gahanna, Franklin County, Ohio. He was born on July 10, 1918, at Phillipsburg, Warren County, NJ.
Above info per obit on Rootsweb.
Quinn, James J.
Ozone Park, NY
Ray, William Harris
Student Officer: Second Lieutenant and in Squadron H at Douglas. He graduated (S/N: O-472987) and later he was stationed in England flying B-24’s in the 8th A.F., 446th Bomb Gp, 707 Bomb Sqdn. He was pilot of a B-24J (S/N: 42-51356) on Nov. 4, 1944 with a crew of 10, when it was shot down. The aircraft went into a spin with #3 engine on fire. Control was regained and it went into the clouds. Two chutes were seen (MACR #10161). He was declared missing in action over Hildesheim, Germany. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Grave 3854, Section 34.
1st Lt.
Note: his picture may be misidentified. It is believed his picture is actually that shown for D. S. Chase.
Reiman, George V.
S/N: O-823381. He was in the 15th A.F., 14th Fighter Gp. (TE), 48th Fighter Sqdn. He was flying escort in a P-38J (S/N: 44-23204) on a mission to Blechammer, Germany on Aug. 7, 1944. He reported he was low on fuel and ditching in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Ancona, Italy. A search was mounted, and he was never found. (MACR #8943)
Richard, Arthur Robert
He graduated from Spence
Field, S/N: O-820686.
In April 1947 he became the secretary of a new local Newport, RI squadron of AAF members.
Newport, R.I. in 1943.
Married Peggy Williams May 11, 1942
Ricks, Gerald Gilford
S/N: O-820578. He was in the 12th A.F., 324th Fighter Gp., 315th Fighter Sqdn. On Oct. 11, 1944, his P-47D crashed near Breitnau, Germany. He was a P.O.W. in Germany.
Click here for more information. An interesting incident involving Ricks in downtown Douglas, GA is described in Warren M. Schultz's bio.
Ringsred, Cletus John "Jack"
He was in the 305th Bomb Group, 364 Bomb Sqdn. He flew B-17's (one of which was "Chaquita" (S/N: 42-39947). He flew at least 34 daylight bombing missions in the European Theater. He was awarded D.F.C. with 3 oak leaf clusters. Click
here for a PDF containing newspaper clippings about him.
Duluth, MN.
Wife: Dorothy Eileen Ringsred
Born: Oct. 3, 1918
Died: Jan. 10, 1998
Robinson, Frederick J.
West Collinswood, N.J.
Rohde, Richard Charles
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820830. He went to Tyndall Field Gunnery School.
Born about 1921, Westchester, NY.
From Scarsdale, NY.
Probably the Richard C. Rohde who died May 31, 1987 in Largo, FL
Rollins, James
Kansas City, MO.
Sawyer, Walter B.
Born 12/23/1920
Died 01/30/2007
Buried Hickman Cemetery, which is located in Cowen, WV.
Schaer, Arthur J.
Same Instructor as Harold Michelson.
Brooklyn, NY
Schafer, Carl A.
Leonard Gardner was his Instructor at Douglas.
Port Huron, Mich. in 1943.
Schiff, Stanley J.
S/N: O-824739 2LT. Retired disabled November 7, 1944
Tulsa, OK
Schmitt, Edward Lamar
S/N: O-820838. He was in the 491st Bomb Gp 853rd Bomb Sqdn. On Feb. 9, 1945 he was pilot of a B-24H (S/N: 42-95341) with a crew of 9 on a mission to Magdeburg, Germany. The trim tab froze and the plane had a runaway propeller, causing the plane to be difficult to control. It went into a spiral and lost 8,000 feet of altitude. Two of the crew bailed out when they misunderstood the "Prepare to bail out signal." Schmitt brought the plane back safely (MACR #12237).
Schreck, Harold Frank
DuPraw was his Instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820586. He was in the Millville AAFd Replacement Training Unit flying P-47's.
Click here for a group picture.
2nd Lt.
Land O'Lakes, WI.
Born 17 Oct 1918, died 8 Jul 2005 (aged 86)
Buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Land O' Lakes, Vilas County, Wisconsin
Schultz, Warren Menning "Dutch"
Lt. Col.
Wife: Brigetta Schultz
Montgomery AL. Previously Blairstown, NJ.
Scott, Albert Winfield
Charles H. Hoeffler was his instructor at Douglas and he soloed July 23, 1943. He was in the 490th Bomb Group, England. His first 9 missions were in B-24's and his last 23 missions were in B-17's. On Nov. 19, 1944, his crew was forced to bail out over German-occupied Belgium and was picked up by the Independent Freedom Fighters resistance group. After 6 days they were returned to American forces. After his tour, he returned to the U.S. and became a flight instructor. He returned to service in 1948 and again became an instructor. He continued to serve in a number of capacities and retired 1963.
Click here for his bio and pictures (a PDF).Major
Wife: June Vivian (Thompson) Scott
Carrollton, IL.
Setzer, Henry A.
Sgt.
Merrick, Long Island, NY
Shaw, Harry Clay
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820844. He was with the 15th A.F., 454 Bomb Gp., 737 Bomb Sqdn. in Italy, flying B-24s (see MACR #9746 where he was a withnessto a missing B-24).
Wauwatosa(Milwaukee) Wisc. in 1943.
Shay, John Joseph, Jr.
Hoeffler was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820658. He was in the 027th Fighter Gp 522nd Fighter Sqdn flying P-47's in Italy (see
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com)
Sherman, Donald Richard
He graduated from Spence Field, as F.O. T62137. He was a B-17 pilot with the 305th Bomb Group flying 35 missions over Germany. He received the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. In his 26-year Air Force career, he also had remote assignments in Iceland and Japan. [Source:
see his obituary here.]
Major.
Johnson City, N.Y. in 1943.
Born 29 Jun 1918, Peckville, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Died 8 Dec 2001 (aged 83), Texas
Buried Arlington National Cemetery
Short, James Thomas
He graduated from Spence Field. He flew P-47's in the European theater. According to his obituary, "he was a first lieutenant fighter pilot and dive bomber pilot, flying the P-40 Warhawk and the P-47 Thunderbolt. He earned four battle stars and two presidential citations."
(See
http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/07171/795518-122.stm#ixzz1wBEFWJf5)
He became a motorcycle police officer after the War.
Shortness, Gordon Merlin
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820591. He was with the 8th A.F., 359th Fighter Gp, 370th Fighter Sqdn. On July 20, 1944, he was flying a P-51B (S/N: 42-106474) on bomber escort to Leipzig, Germany, when he was killed or wounded in his seat, and his plane crashed into the ground near Zwickau in Sachsen with him still in the seat. He was buried at Thurm near Glauchau/Sachsen Cemetery (MACR #6832).
Dearborn, MI. in 1943.
Shumard, James Warren, Jr.
He flew 52 missions in a B-24 in the 15th A.F., 743rd Bomb Sqdn, 455th Bomb Wing in Italy. He was the lead pilot and crew on his last 18 missions. Retired from the Air Force in 1964.
Click here for his bio (a PDF).Colonel
Born Aug. 6, 1919 in Detroit, MI.
Wife: Margaret Shumard
Of Kettering, OH.
Sikorski, Joseph Frank
Born February 6, 1919
Died May 24, 2008
Emmaus, PA
Sisk, Hollis Dewitt
Lloyd Annin was his instructor at Douglas. He went to Italy with 757th Bomb Sqdn, 459th Bomb Gp. He flew in 35 missions in B-24's. In Oswicim, Poland they were shot up so badly that they had to bail out near Split, Yugoslavia. Awarded DFC.
Click here to read his bio and see his pictures (a PDF).1st Lt.
Wife: Dorothy Sisk
Blockton, Iowa
Smith, Lloyd Franklin
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Smith, Norman Liebau "Little Smitty"
He was in the 361st Fighter Group, 376th Fighter Sqdn in England flying P-51's. He was forced to crash land his plane an Montdidier airdrome in France. The base had just been abandoned by the Luftwaffe. To his horror he realized he had landed among live bombs that had been left scattered around the field. He got a ride to Amien and took a C-47 to Brussels, where he ended up in a night club, being toasted by a Belgium official and his family amid celebrations of their recent liberation. (See newsletter in Robert T. Volkman entry below for the source of this info.)
Coatinga, CA.
According to Robert R. Volkman, Little Smitty always needed 4-5 yellow cushions to sit on to fly the Stearman. (Little Smitty was actually 5'6".)
Smock, George E.
Newark, OH
Spaide, Leon Joseph
He graduated from Spence Field, as F.O. T62141. He was a B-24 co-pilot on the William G Stevens crew flying missions with the 449th Bomb Group 719th Bomb Squadron based at Grottaglie located in Southern Italy.
Hazelton, PA. in 1943.
Spearman, James Henry, Jr.
He graduated from Moody Field, S/N: O-823512, in class 44B. He was assigned to the 3rd A.F. in Columbia, S.C. He served during WWII in the S. Pacific flying B-25’s in the 42nd Bomb Wing, 13th A.F. Later he was in the Reserve and recalled for Korea. He was in S.A.C. most of the time, flying B-36’s.
Lt. Col.
Wife: “Pat” Spearman
Spring Hill, FL. Originally of Wichita Falls, Texas
Stastny, Joseph A.
Joe washed out and became a Mechanic.
Helen A. (Barcik) Stastny
Quakerstown, PA.
Died Nov. 19, 1989
Stone, Alfred James
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820597. He flew B-29s with the 39th Bomb Group (VHB) in the Central Pacific and was based at North Field on Tinian in the Mariana Islands.
Salt Lake City, UT. in 1943.
Streeter, George Edward
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820599. He became a fighter pilot and, according to his obituary, he was one of the first to break the sound barrier. He served in China as one of those in the Flying Tigers after it was integrated into the U.S. Air Force as the 23rd Fighter Group. He served in both World War II and Korea. He retired as Lt. Col. from the Michigan National Guard. See
his obituary here.Augusta, MI. in 1943.
Died Jan. 10, 1990, age 73, while wintering in Florida. He normally lived in Battle Creek, MI.
Stretz, Junior Edward
He was not happy with the training routine and voluntarily quit while at Douglas. Before being sent to Douglas, he had been in the army for 3 years, already had aircraft experience, and was an instructor in engine operation. After Douglas he worked on instruments and electrical equipment in B-24's and B-29's.
Click here for his bio and pictures (a PDF).Staff Sgt.
Wife: Rose Stretz
Beloit, WI.
Stuart, Charles Allison
Student Officer: Captain at Douglas. S/N: O-396224. He graduated from Turner Field and was assigned to the Dodge City, Kans. A.F.B. He was then in the 449th Bomb Grp. flying B-24’s.
Capt.
Wife: Nelwyn Stuart
Pawhuska, OK.
Stull, Clair LeRoy "Bud"
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820600. He was in the 040th Bomb Gp 045th Bomb Sqdn (VHB) as a pilot and bomber/navigator.
Waynesboro, PA
Summers, Claude William
He was delayed to class 44B. Graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823770. Assigned to Smyrna, Tenn. A.F.B. He was in the 450th Bomb Gp., 721st Bomb Sqdn. On Oct. 17, 1944, he was copilot on a B-24H (S/N: 41-29455) with a crew of 9 on a mission to Vienna, Austria from Manduria Air Base, Italy. Over the target there was intense and accurate flak. His plane was hit and gas started to pour into the bomb bays. The plane was hit again and the nose gunner was hit in the knee. Two of the crew bailed out on their own initiative and were captured. (MACR #9217)
Klamath Falls, Ore, in 1943.
Summey, Paul Bickett
George Kalec was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-823771. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt Lake City. He flew B-24’s with the 389th Bomb Group from Hethel, England, during which he was wounded in combat. Later he flew B-29’s, B-47’s and B-52’s until 1967. He also flew C-130’s in Vietnam. He had a 31 year career, most of it in S.A.C.
Sweek, Adolph H.
Born 1921 in Wisconsin
West Allis (Milwaukee), Wisc. in 1943.
Swinson, Jim Ira
George Kalic was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated Dec. 30, 1943, Spence Field, S/N: O-820603. He went into B-24’s in the 456th Bomb Gp in Italy.
Tarnovecky, George M.
of Hazelton, PA.
Born 1921
Died Mar. 2, 1976.
Taylor, Milton Byron, Jr.
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820604. He was in the 318th Fighter Gp 019th Fighter Sqdn and was in the Far East flying P-47’s, P-38’s, B-26’s and A-26’s. Separated Jan. 1947. Stayed in the Reserves. He was recalled for Korea. He retired in July 1970 after 30 years. Click here for his handwritten bio and picture (a PDF).
Teagarden, Haskell T.
He was a Flight Officer, S/N: T-062663, flying P-40’s. He was at the 15th Fighter Gp HQ, per the book, The Long Campaign page 176. He stayed in the A. F. for 17 years. As a civilian he did carpentry work.
Templin, John Samuel
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820633. He served with the 8th A.F., 357th Fighter Gp, 362nd Fighter Sqdn in England flying P-51’s. On Sept 28, 1944, he was flying a P-51-B (S/N: 43-6698) on a bomber support mission over Merseberg, Germany when his engine lost oil, and the engine froze and caught fire, forcing him to bail out (MACR #9240). He walked west for 5 days and then was captured by German farmers hunting with dogs. He was a P.O.W. at Stagluft #3 for 6 months. In late March 1945, the Germans started marching prisoners east, and he and others escaped and walked west, encountering the U.S. Army after about 5 days. He stayed in the Air Force for 21 years. Then he worked for United Service (insurance) for 28 years. He retired in 1989.
Thomas, Joseph Francis, Jr.
S/N: O-1540490. He was in the 15th A.F., 97th Bomb Gp, 341st Bomb Sqdn. in Italy. On Mar. 2, 1945, he was copilot on a B-17G (S/N: 44-6849) with a crew of 11 flying a mission to Linz, Austria. His plane was hit by flak, and the wing and right engine were on fire. The tail section fell off and the plane went into a spin and exploded. He bailed out and was shot at on his way down but was not injured. He was a P.O.W. at Dulag Luft Wurtzler, Germany.
Wife: Ernestine a. Thomas
Dumont, NJ
Truhan, Stephan
On July 29, 1943, he crashed out of gas in a PT-17 (41-8507) in Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon and advanced at Spence Field, S/N: O-820609. He was in the 455th Bomb Gp 740th Bomb Sqdn. He received the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (see
http://www.armyaircorpsmuseum.org).
Lt. Col.
Carnariuo, CA. Formerly of Detroit, MI.
Tylavsky, William G.
Born: 1919
East Pittsburgh, PA
Ussery, Marvin Lucus
Wilson Myers was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon and graduated from Spence field, S/N: O-820862. He was flying and received an eye injury. This caused his medical discharge. Later he was back in the service as Chief Master Sgt. He retired in 1964.
Chief Master Sqt.
Valdosta, GA
Vanarsdell, Harry D.
Pawnee, OK
Verley, Paul Frank
Wilson Myers was his instructor. He graduated from Spence Field, Moultrie, GA, S/N: O-820612. He was sent to Randolph Field, TX to receive instructor training in single-engine aircraft. Later instructed in AT-6’s at Cochran Field. Then to Smyrna TN for check out in B-24’s and to Langley Field to pick up a B-24 crew to go to the Pacific. A few days before they were to go, the atomic bomb was dropped and his orders were canceled. He retired from the Reserves as a Major. Then he was an Electrical Supervisor for a coal co. and was with the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Vickers, Eugene Clifford, Jr.
He graduated from Spence Field, Moultrie, S/N: O-820614. He was killed in a mid-air collision at Richmond AAB Combat Crew Training Station while flying a P-47 in 1944.
Volkman,Robert Raymond
Christopher K. Barton was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon and graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820615. Later he flew P-40's and P-51's. In June 1944 he went to England in the 361st Fighter Group, 376th Fighter Sqdn. He flew 61 missions, averaging 4-1/2 hours each, from July 1944 to April 1945. He separated from the service on VE Day.
Click here for his letters, articles, pictures, and newsletters (a PDF).Capt.
Wife: Jane Volkman
Wilmington, Del.
Vonderau, Frank Leo
Cadet S/Sgt. at Douglas. S/N: O-820916. He was co-pilot in the 856th Bomb Sqdn, 492 Bomb Gp. flying B-24's in Europe.
Walden, Archie Leon, Jr.
He graduated from Turner Field, Albany, GA, S/N: O-820917. He flew B-26’s in the 441st Bomb Sqdn, 320th Bomb Gp. in Italy. See his airplane
here. After the war he worked in a factory that made leather goods (wallets, etc.).
Ward, Robert William “Bob”
Barton was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820617. He was in the 375th Sqdn, 361st Fighter Gp. in England flying P-51's. He was awarded the DFC for aircraft destroyed and helping to pioneer the K55 camera, which he used to take pictures of the damage after bomber runs. He stayed in the air force and retired in 1964.
Click here to see his bio (a PDF).
Weaver, Charles Raymond “Charley”
Barton was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820863. He was assigned to Maxwell Field. Later he flew to England and named the B-17 (43-38419) that he flew over "Miss Betsy" after his wife, Betty Jane Miller Weaver (see
a picture of his bomber).
He flew B-17’s with the 7th Squadron, 34th Bomb Group (H) at Mendlesham, Suffolk County, England, flying 35 combat missions over occupied Europe (see a
picture of his bomber crew).
After the War, he joined the Reserves. He was called back for the Berlin Airlift and was sent to England. He went on to become a B-47 pilot during the Cold War and a Forward Air Controller during Vietnam. He retired in 1968 to Reynoldsburg, Ohio as a small business owner.
Webber, Robert Harold
He enlisted on 20 Jan 1942. He became a B-17 pilot. By early summer of 1944 he was assigned to the 524th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group (H), at Kimbolton Field.
On 12 July 1944, Webber was the Co-Pilot on B-17G, #42-38192, during a bombing mission at Munich, Germany. The aircraft sustained heavy flak damage at the target area and was last seen going down in a controlled flight near Bourg-Bruche, France. Three of the four engines were lost and the pilot attempted to fly the plane to Switzerland. However, the plane crashed near the town of Feldberg, Germany. Eight of the nine aircrew members were killed on impact.
Weddle, Edgar Kennedy
Roanoke, VA
Weed, Edwin O.
He washed out very early at Douglas.
Springfield, MA
Weiss, Julius
S/N: O-558545. He was in the 8th A.F., 389th (H) Bomb Gp, 566th (H) Bomb Sqdn. On Feb. 14, 1945, he was pilot of a B-24J (S/N: 44-40109) with a crew of 9 on a mission to Magdeburg, Germany. About 2 minutes after leaving the target, his #4 engine was on fire and he had a wounded man in the waist. Later he reported the fire was out, but he had only 15 gallons of fuel left and was just off the Dutch coast and being fired upon. They bailed out and all were captured as P.O.W.s except the tail gunner who was shot by Germans while in his chute coming down. The crew all returned safely to the U.S.
Philadelphia, PA
Born: Oct. 2, 1921
Died: Dec. 19, 1945 after release, as reported to the A.A.F. by a law office in Philadelphia. (MACR #12340). It is not known why he died.
Wessinger, James O., Jr.
Caeser Miles was his instructor at Douglas. He was copilot on a B-24 in the 44th Bomb Gp, 68th Bomb Sqdn on July 8, 1944 on his 3rd mission. Their plane was badly damaged by flak and fuel leakage. They landed in Switzerland and were interned. He was returned to Shipdham Airfield (England) on Oct 27, 1944. See After discharge he was in Goverment Service.
1st Lt.
Wife: Hilda Wessinger
Talahassee, FL.
He died about 1980.
Whittaker, Thomas
Camden, NJ
Wilburn, Chesleigh Deon "Tex"
S/N: O-2009140. He was in the 458th Bomb Gp 753rd Bomb Sqdn. Click here
http://www.458bg.com for pictures and a thorough history of his missions and crew. He flew 27 missions before the air war in Europe ended. All of these missions were flown to targets in Germany, and included two trips to Magedeburg, and one mission to Berlin on March 18, 1945. Thirteen of their 27 missions, were flown in a
B-24J named “Arise My Love and Come With Me”. This Liberator would become a familiar aircraft to many enthusiasts after the war due to a staged set of color photographs taken in the summer of 1944.
Willett, Arthur Moulden
Arlington, VA
Probably born 22 September 1919 and died 18 March 1995.
Willfinger, Adrian Frank
He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820922. He was in the 454th Bomb Gp. 739th Bomb Sqdn in the 15th A.F. Ralph flew about 60 missions during the war. Afterward he became a salesman.
Born 1920 in Allegheny County, PA.
Of Homestead, PA in 1943. In Fanbell, PA after the War.
A photographer before the War.
Based on the 1930 census, Adrian F. Willfinger and Ralph J. Willfinger (born 1915) are brothers and sons of Frank Willfinger. Adrian F. Willfinger was definitely at Douglas; it is unclear whether Ralph was at Douglas.
Adrian may have died during 1988.
Williams, Bruce Clifford
Caeser Miles was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon, and graduated from
Turner Field, S/N: O-820923. Then B-24 transition at El Paso. Then assigned to the 14th A.F., 493 Bomb Sqdn., 7th Bomb Grp. and was sent to the Pacific. His group was one of the first to bomb by radar. He flew the Hump with a full load of gas in the wings.
Click here for his other military highlights (a PDF). He was discharged at the end of the war. Then college and in 1948 he went with Owens Corning. He retired from the Reserves in 1972.
Wife: Geneva Williams
Toledo, OH.
Williams, Edwin Rudolph
Caeser Miles was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Cochran Field, Macon and graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820623. He flew P-51’s with the 319th Sqdn. 325th Fighter Grp. out of Italy. He had 50 missions. He was awarded the D.F.C., 5 air medals and 2 Presidential citations. He was discharged in Sept. 1945.
Click here for his letter and pictures (a PDF).Captain
Wife: Margaret Williams
Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Wilson, Donald Cully
Caeser miles was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Turner Field, S/N: O-820924. He was in England with the 8th A.F. 351st Bomb Gp 511th Bomb Sqdn flying B-17’s. On Aug. 6, 1944, he was copilot of a B-17 (S/N: 43-37557) when it was shot down while over Germany, and he spent 9 months as a P.O.W. (MACR #7588).
Wife: Betty Wilson
Roachdale, IN. 46172.
Wise, Kenneth
He graduated from Spence Field, Jan. 7, 1944, S/N: O-820661. He joined the 354th Fighter Group, 353rd Squadron, 9th Air Force in December 1944, flying P-51's. From Jan to May, 1945, Wise is credited with 5 air victories, which makes him an Ace. On April 19, 1945 he shot down two FW 190s. On April 26th he shot down another FW 190D and claimed 2 more were destroyed but he was never credited with those two. His confirmed total was 5 enemy aircraft shot down. He became the last man to become an ace in the 354th Fighter Group. He received the D.F.C. and air medal with 12 oak leaf clusters.
Wohlfeld, Harold
Probably born 12 Nov 1916 in Michigan and died 7 Dec 1998 in Arizona.
Of Jackson Hgts, Long Island, NY in 1943.
Womack, Daniel Lewis
He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820625. He flew 79 missions over Germany in P-47 Thunderbolts in the 27th Fighter Gp, 522nd Fighter Sqdn. Later he joined the Georgia Air National Guard. Dan was killed in his F-47 (redesignated from P-47) Thunderbolt on Tuesday Oct. 25, 1949.
Click here for an article on his death.
Woodman, Verner Arthur Jr.
S/N: O-820662. He flew P-51's (a P-51C, S/N: 42-103562, called "Little Bastard") in the 15th A.F., 325th Fighter Gp., 318th Fighter Sqdn in Italy. (See
http://www.frankambrose.com for information from his son and a picture of his plane.)
Probably born in July 23, 1921 in Colorado and died Oct. 31,1997 in Sacramento.
Of Pasadena, Calif in 1943.
Worsthorn, Robert Louis
He graduated from Turner Field in Albany, GA, S/N: O-820925. He was assigned to the 2nd A.F. at Salt lake City. He flew B-24's with the 15th A.F., 451st Bomb Gp, 725th Bomb Sqdn. in Italy. On Aug. 22, 1944, he was flying a B-24H (S/N: 41-28816 "Scrappy") on a bombing mission from Castellucio Air Field, Italy to Vienna, Austria when it was hit after bombs away. One engine was feathered and it dropped back. The crew bailed out over Yugoslavia and most were taken P.O.W.s (MACR #8005). He evaded capture and returned to the base.
2nd Lt.
Wife: Julia Worsthorn
Of Hoboken, N.J. in 1943. Later of Bronx, N.Y.
Woycik, Edward David
His instructor at Douglas was George Kalek. He graduated from Spence Field, S/N: O-820626. Then he was checked out on P-47’s. He served in Africa, Italy and S. France in the 324th Fighter Gp, 316th Fighter Sqdn, mostly dive bombing. He had 97 missions and left the Service as a 1st Lt. Later he joined the Reserves, completing 21 years. He worked for the New York Telephone Co. for 33 years.
Click here for his record (a PDF).Major
Wife: Lillian Woycik
Ft Lauderdale, FL. Originally of Glen Cove, Long Island, NY.
Born August 12, 1922
Died July 16, 1993.
Youlios, Dennis, Jr.
Probably born 17 Jan 1922 and died 16 Feb 1993.
Of Paterson, N.J. in 1943.
Zawalski, Stanley Anthony
He worked for RCA/Victor's electrical engineering department producing blueprints before the war. In 1942, he graduated as a tank mechanic at Fort Knox, KY (source: Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey · Thursday, November 26, 1942). He must have enrolled in the aviation cadet program after that. He returned to RCA/Victor after the war.
b. 23 Jun 1916, Camden, NJ; d. May 1977, New Jersey.
He married Dorothy Mary Basinski in the 1950's.
Zell, Ward K.
He washed out at Douglas, and became a Bombardier S/N: O-712335. He was in B-26's in the European Theater, 394th Bomb Gp 587th Bomb Sqdn. On Mar. 23, 1945, he was Gee-Navigator on a B-26G (S/N: 44-67908) on a mission to Ahaus, Germany. The plane was hit by flak, caught fire and crashed. All of the crew bailed out. He became a P.O.W. (MACR #14040). After the War, he went into the photographic business.
Zieske, Clarence Eugene
S/N: O-482345. He was probably in the 374th Fighter Sqdn, 361st Fighter Gp. His P-51B (S/N: 42-106942) was on a dive bombing mission to France and was flying at about 200 feet when it was hit. According to Volkman, he rolled his plane over to bail out. But the plane was too low for his chute to open, and he was killed. (See Robert R. Volkman's PDF for the source of this info). MACR #7619 says that the coolant system had been hit, and he tried to climb the plane but it leveled off. It flew for a moment and then nosed in. Zieske cleared the plane at about 100 feet but his chute did not open.
1st Lt.
Killed in action Aug. 12, 1944.
Buried in Virginia
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