From: James
Martin-Spratt [mailto:sprattoliner@qwest.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 10:56 AM
To: looking4@379thbga.org Subject: B-17
Triangle K "Spratt-o-Liner" Info
I am
enclosing pictures of my father's plane and crew
- The "Spratt-o-Liner", piloted by 2nd Lt James
A. Spratt. Would appreciate information on crew
members and missions. My father is living in
Folsom, California - I live in Seattle, WA (and
work for the Boeing Company) James V.
Martin-Spratt
James, Lt James A. Spratt,
Pilot, was in the 379th
Bombardment Group and flew
missions with the 525th Bomb
squadron from 7/09/44 to
10/19/44. The following is
the crew and their position
on aircraft 43-37932-H
"Spratt-O-Liner" to Montreul,
France on 7/24/44:
Spratt, James A, 2nd Lt,
Pilot Abernathy, Andrew
J, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Reger, Marquis B, 2nd Lt,
Navigator Klippert,
Clarence A, 2nd Lt,
Bombardier Slater, Sidney
S, S/Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Serotta,
Harry L, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner Stewart,
James C, Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner Minter, Charles O,
Sgt, Waist Gunner Sacco,
George P, Sgt, Tail Gunner
It is possible that Lt.
Spratt and crew flew more
missions, but our records
show that Lt. James A Spratt
flew the following 34
missions: 162, 164, 165, 167,
168, 169, 172, 173, 174, 175,
176, 177, 179, 181, 186, 188,
190, 191, 196, 198, 199, 202,
203, 206, 208, 209, 210, 212,
214, 215, 218, 220, 223, 224.
Responding4 11/30/02
Mike
Search No. 1099 - Identification
Request
From: Gregory PONS
[mailto:gregpons@yahoo.fr]
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 3:23 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Re: Identification Request
Hello,
Thanks for the information's I received
concerning a B-17 named Swamp Fire. I would also
need your help for the 3 attached photos:
considering the date of the photos and number of
the crew, I would need the name of the plane and
serial number for Lt Stewart's crew (and if
possible name of crewmembers), for the others
nay data would be welcome (serial number, end of
career of the plane, serial number, squadron
markings... any data worth knowing.
I would be glad to help
you if you need I look
forward to hearing from you
Best regards
Gregory, Lt. Carlson
Stewart Jr. and his crew were
in the 524th Bomb Squadron
and flew most of their 25
mission on aircraft 42-5830
WA-T "Al-Jo-Son" "Hag of
Hardewyk", War Weary 7/26/44
Returned Ontario, CA 5/7/45.
The following are Lt.
Stewart's crew and their
positions. The picture of Lt
Stewart's crew was taken
8/31/43. The B-17 could have
been any stationed at
Kimbolton. It appears that
the B-17 was not their
aircraft because the letters
on the fuselage were FR for
the 525th SQ.
Stewart
Jr., Carson R, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Ralston, Richard G, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot Hudson, Irving T,
2nd Lt, Navigator Beeman,
George E, 2nd Lt, Bombardier
Terrell, Robert H, Tech Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Brunette, Harry D, T/Sgt, Top
Turret Gunner Dawson, Ray
W, S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Jones Jr., Thomas H, T/Sgt,
Right Waist Gunner Rite
our, Roger C, S/Sgt, Left
Waist Gunner Needing,
Clyde F, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
The aircraft 42-29897
WA-A "Censored", "Forequetoo"
was in the 524th Bomb
Squadron. Transferred from
the 92 BG to the 379th BG
9/4/43 Declared War Weary
5/8/44 Walnut Ridge, AR
1/14/46.
The aircraft
42-30237 WA-V "Stump Jumper"
and crew 7/16/43 the mission
to Hanover, Germany was
recalled.
Theiss,
Joseph E, Lt, Pilot
Krafft, Julius W, Lt,
Co-Pilot Edwards, James G,
Lt, Navigator Peifer,
Thomas D, Lt, Bombardier
McKeegan, Hugh (NMI), Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Nolan, Morrison T, S/Sgt, Top
Turret Gunner Frydryk,
Frank P, S/Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner Armstrong, Donald
B, T/ Sgt, Right Waist Gunner
Klump, Delbert W, T/Sgt, Left
Waist Gunner Hill, George
R, Sgt, Tail Gunner
Responding4 11/29/02 Mike
Search No. 1098 - Clifford Wayne
Shaw
From: Kevin
Shaw [mailto:busrep@hotmail.com] Sent:
Tuesday, November 26, 2002 2:53 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject:
Greeetings to all, I would desperatley love to
hear from any USAAF crew (flight and ground)
that met and interacted with my uncle,Clifford
Wayne Shaw (527th- KIA 20Feb45- B-17G tail
gunner, Sgt. ). I would greatly appreciate any
info and stories about the times spent with my
uncle. I am currently living in Hamburg, Germany
(ironic isn't it), and am very much enjoying
seeing the places that the 379th left their
calling card. I will be visiting the cemetery
wher my uncle and crew are resting (St.Avold
,France) and would like to take some memories
with me.
Thanks and God Bless You All !!!
Kevin Shaw
Search No. 1097 - Royce
Donald Taylor
|
From: Taylor Scott
Capt [mailto:scott.taylor@seymourjohnson.af.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 10:34 AM
To: Looking4@379thbga.org Subject: 2LT Royce
Donald Taylor
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Scott Taylor. I am an F-15 instrucotr
pilot currently serving at Seymour Johnson AFB,
NC. My grandfather, 2LT Royce Donald Taylor, was
in the 379th during WWII. He was killed 20 Dec
43 on a mission to Bremen. I already have a copy
of that mission report, but I was interested to
know what other missions in which he
participated. I believe he was killed on his
third mission, but I am not sure which two
missions he was on before his third. Would you
be able to find that information? Also, I wanted
to know if there were any photos taken on those
missions that I might be able to obtain. I would
also like to be placed on the list to receive
updates. I am not sure if I will be able to
attend all of the reunions or meetings, but I
would like to try. I did fill out the
membership application, so I will send that in
with my check. Thanks, and if there is anything
that I might be able to do to help, let me know.
Best Regards, Scott
Scott, Lt Royce Donald Taylor, Bombardier,
was in the 379th Bombardment Group and flew 3
missions with the 527th Bomb Squadron form
12/11/43 to 12/20/43. The 379th BG missions
48,49 & 50. The following are the crew and their
positions on their 1st mission to Emdem,
Germany12/11/43 on aircraft 42-37888.
Haston, Robert W, 2nd Lt, Pilot Clingman,
Foy R, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot Sheaffer, Harold N,
2nd Lt, Navigator Taylor, Royce D, 2nd Lt,
Bombardier Fisher, Gordon D, Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Rauck, Kenneth E, Sgt, Top
Turret Gunner Spisak, Robert (NMI), Sgt,
Ball Turret Gunner Bittenback, James W, Sgt,
Right Waist Gunner Grange, Thomas (NMI),
Sgt, Left Waist Gunner Adrianson, Lester B,
Sgt, Tail Gunner
This appears to be Lt
Royce Taylor's original crew. The first two
missions were flown with this crew on 12/11/43
Emden and Bremen, Germany on 12/13/43.
The following are the crew and their positions
on their last mission to Bremen, Germany
12/20/43 on aircraft 42-37851.
Reichold
Walter H. -2nd Lt, P, 0-799071, Winsted, CT,
Netherlands B 20 4 Levitan Henry T. -2nd Lt,
CP, 0-677536, Steelton, PA, Netherlands B 20 6
Litz Harry T. -2nd Lt, N, 0-749441,
Philadelphia, PA, KIA Taylor Royce D. -2nd
Lt, B, 0-685882, Chicago, IL, Netherlands D 21 6
Hennessey Joseph T. -T/SGT, RO, 32470051,
Oswego, IL, POW Colburn Finis W. -T/SGT, TT,
38139967, Logansport, LA, Netherlands L 15 2
Brady Glenn (NMI) -S/SGT, BT, 39835681,Fairview,
UT, Netherlands M 3 6 Mantor Ralph A. -S/SGT,
RW, 6561665, Napa, CA, POW Poweske Bejamin
E. -SGT, LW, 12044536, Dunkirk, NY, POW
Campbell Charles B. -S/SGT, TG, 32427536,
Jenkintown, PA, Netherlands L 15 20
Unfortunately we don't show any of the crew
members on the current Association roster.
However, Bejamin E. Poweske was on the 1988
Association roster.
Responding4 11/15/02
Mike
Search No. 1096 - Membership
Information
From: Christopher
Stevens [mailto:cpstevens@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 8:13 PM To:
Looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Membership
Information
To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Christopher Stevens. My great uncle,
Thomas A. Ports flew with the 379th out of
Kimbolton, U.K. from 7/31/44 to 11/29/44. He was
the co-pilot of the "Miss Liberty" aircraft
43-38388. I am interested in becoming a member
of the 379th Association. Please send me the
appropriate membership information and forms to
apply. Thank you very much. Christopher
Stevens
Christopher, I have attached a membership
form for your convenience. The membership form is
also available on the 379thBGA website; follow
the instructions filling out the form, print and
mail with your membership dues payment.
Responding4 11/12/02 Mike
Search No. 1095 - Calvin Weir
From:
Richardson
[mailto:krlawyer@swbell.net] Sent: Monday,
November 11, 2002 2:00 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: CALVIN WEIR
Honorable Sirs: My name is Scott
Richardson and my step-dad is Calvin Weir. Cal
was born March 11, 1918, in Miinneapolis,
Minnesota, and early in the War served as a
civil servant in England. He was inducted into
active service 27 March 1944 at Fort Sam Houston
Texas and trained in Texas, Colorado and
Arizona. He arrived in England March 30, 1945
Discharge papers indicate Cal was a Sgt.
"Airplane Armorer-Gunner" and "Operated
machine-gun in combat". Cal is alive and well
but his memory has dimmed. I would like to
remind him of any misson(s) he flew on behalf of
his country, crew mates, planes, etc. His Serial
No. is 38 672 571.
God Bless You For Our
Freedom, SCOTT
Scott, Sgt Calvin Weir, Nose Gunner/Togglier,
was in the 379th Bombardment Group and are
records indicate that he flew 3 missions
(numbers 327,328 & 329) with the 527th Bomb
Squadron from 4/17/45 to 4/20/45. The following
are the crew members and their positions on
4/17/45 to Dresden, Germany in aircraft
42-102627 "Queenie.
Woodruff, HubertW,
2nd Lt, Pilot Pontello, Norman A, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot Sites Jr., Noah W, F/O, Navigator
Weir, Calvin, Sgt, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Fitzsimmons, John A, Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Cook, Robert L, Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner Desmarais, Lucian R, Cpl, Ball Turret
Gunner Standish Jr., Ray M, Cpl, Tail Gunner
Responding4 11/11/02 Mike
Sent: Tuesday,
November 12, 2002 10:24 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Re: 1095
CALVIN WEIR
Dear Mike,
Words
cannot express my appreciation for your quick
response. I showed Cal your e-mail last night at
dinner and he was very moved. I have downloaded
forms for Cal's membership in your association,
PX items and mission reports. Yesterday may be
Cal's last Veterans Day on this Earth but if God
smiles upon us has a reunion city been selected
for next year?
Cal, who can't remember
well, recognized every crewman and even some
personal information about them. Do you know if
he flew his other two missions with the same
crew and on the same aircraft? Additionally, are
you aware of anyone he crewed with who is alive
and a member of the association? God bless
you in this life and the next I remain, Yours
truly Scott
Scott, The reunion for next year is at Salt
Lake City, UT September 17 - 21. Additional
information will be available either through the
Contrails or by special mailing to our
membership when all the details have been
finalized.
The aircraft and some
crewmembers were different. As a member you can
order your step Dad's missions (See the mission
sales pricing information and order form on the
website). Our current Association roster shows
Noah W Sites Jr., and Hubert W Woodruff, they
both attended our 2002 reunion in St.Louis, MO.
Responding4 11/12/02 Mike
Search No. 1094 - 100 Mission
"SWAMPFIRE"
From: Gregory PONS
[mailto:gregpons@yahoo.fr] Sent: Sunday,
October 27, 2002 12:53 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Re:
Identification Request
Hello, I'm
french and I'm 30. I have been collecting
original USAAF photos for many years. Here are
some photos from my personnal collection. I know
the plane wearing the name of "Swamp Fire" made
part the 379th BombGroup but I would be grateful
if you could send me more infos about it: serial
number, squadron markings, name of the crew
members, missions, end of career of the plane...
Thanks for your help, I look forward to
hearing from you Best regards GREG
Greg, Aircraft 42-32024 524th Bomb Sq.(WA-L)
Swamp Fire. The following is the crew and their
positions on Swamp Fire's 1st mission to
Halberstadt, Germany 2/22/44. This was the 379th
Bomb Groups 71st mission.
Duvall, Kenneth
J, 1st Lt, Pilot Leonardy, Fernando R, 2nd
Lt, Co-Pilot Dumas, William B, 2nd Lt,
Navigator Moses, Eugene F, 2nd Lt, Bombardier
Cunningham, Thomas F, T/Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Fliegel, William (NMI),
T/Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner McMinn,
Robert M, S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner Marston,
Harold E, Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, WIA - Injured
by flak in left leg Zulaski, Raymond R,
S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner Pierce, Eugene R,
S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
The following is the
crew and their positions on Swamp Fire's 25th
mission to Berlin, Germany 5/7/44. This was the
379th Bomb Groups 111th mission.
Korstjens, Joseph L, 1st Lt, Pilot Clark,
Byron B, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot Scianameo, Matthew
J, 2nd Lt, Navigator Harris, Harvey (NMI),
2nd Lt, Bombardier Przybyla, Edward J, T/Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner Benjian, Berj G, T/Sgt,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Stroman Jr.,
Andrew M, S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner Avery
Jr., Roy E, S/Sgt, Waist Gunner Lewis, Elijah
W, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
The following is
the crew and their positions on Swamp Fire's
50th mission to Marquise/Mimoyecques, France
6/24/44. This was the 379th Bomb Groups 150th
mission.
Day, Donald L, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Vickery, Ralph L, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot Humphrey,
Hugh F, 2nd Lt, Navigator Edwards, Hoyt
(NMI), 2nd Lt, Bombardier McIntyre, Blaine E,
T/Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner Yates, Paul A,
T/Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner McCabe,
Stephen J, S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner Lesage,
Donald R, S/Sgt, Waist Gunner Whitehead,
Allen M, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
The following
is the crew and their positions on Swamp Fire's
100th mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany 11/01/44.
This was the 379th Bomb groups 229th mission.
Mills Jr., Bruce E, 1st Lt, Pilot
Shedlock, Carl A, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot McCray,
John E, 2nd Lt, Navigator Whitney, James E,
2nd Lt, Bombardier Cooper, Joseph T, T/Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner Menger, Delmer E,
T/Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Boston,
James , S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner Conner,
Lucas S, S/Sgt, Waist Gunner Beddard Jr,
William A, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
"Swampfire"
the first B-17 of the 8th Air force to complete
100 missions without one ABORT! The date was
November 1, 1944 - Target was Gelsenkirchen, to
bomb the synthetics plant. (Taken from the
Contrails, a letter received by former Lt. and
Bombardier-navigator, Optometrist, Dr. James E.
Whitney.)
Declared War Weary 12/11/44.
Transferred to Alconbury 6/1/45, and returned to
US 7/12/45. Allot of the credit goes to the
ground crew (not all listed) who kept Swamp Fire
in the air.
DeSalvo, Dominick, Crew Chief
Abbott, James, A&E Mechanic
Responding4
11/9/02 Mike
From: John E. Price
[mailto:JohneP4596@aol.com] Sent: Saturday,
December 07, 2002 9:48 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Swamp Fire's
100th mission
Concerning the report of
the Swamp Fire's 100th mission, the bombardier,
Lt. James E. Whitney, was a fellow optometrist
and my friend for many years. Unfortunately he
developed Alzheimer's a few years ago and died
earlier this year.
John E. Price, OD,
Navigator on Lt. Charles E. "Red" Walker's crew,
527th Sq. 1st Lt. USAF (Ret.)
Search No. 1093 - Sylvester V
Howell
From: Kenneth
McPherson [mailto:bagpiper32@webtv.net] Sent:
Tuesday, October 08, 2002 9:30 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: RE: 1085 379th
BG (H)
Hello Mike, Thank you so much for
your recent e-mails. Would you have any data
(crew list would be great) on: B-l7 #43-388l8,
Piloted by Lt. Howell, of the 534th Sqdn. Cr at
Hopsten, Ger., 24/3/45. Eight KIAs. And data
which you could provide me would be appreciated,
Regards, Ken McPherson 8th AFHS, 493rd BGMA.
Ken, 524th Sq. Hopsten, Germany March 24,
1945 Mission # 309 Aircraft 43-38818 (WA-L). A/C
Hit By Flak, Burst Into Flames And Exploded, No
Chutes Reported.
Howell Sylvester V. -2nd
Lt, P,0-835204, West Orange, NJ,, Ardennes A 31
12 Noble Kenneth R. -2nd Lt, CP, 0-777780,
Lakeside, OR, KIA Weaver Melvin E. -2nd Lt,
B, 0-2069738, Vancouver, WA, KIA Barnett Bert
W.Jr. -SGT, NG, 12138585, Rochester, NY,
Ardennes, B 22 19 Villasenor Pablo -T/SGT,
RO, 39577219, San Bernardino,CA, KIA
Fairbanks Thomas F. -S/SGT, TT, 37227150,
Topeka, KS, Ardennes D 14 44 Kenan Milton S.
-SGT, BT, 14109569, Clinton, NC, Ardennes D 38
19 Reynolds Mark R. -SGT, TG, 39713847,
Shellsburg, IA, KIA
Responding4 11/05/02
Mike
Search No. 1092 - Thurman P.
Smotherman
From: Mike Testerman
[mailto:mtcc@intertek.net] Sent: Sunday,
November 03, 2002 7:51 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: 379 BG/527SQ
plane Identification
Gentlemen: I would
first like to say that I found your website
through an internet search and was very pleased
with the information provided on the pages. I
also found a family members name on the Last
Mission pages so I knew that I was on the right
track. What I am seeking to find is the name of
the B-17 that my grandfathers younger brother
was on when the plane was shot down. I am search
of information of the plane and crew who was
with Thurman Preston Smotherman. He was a right
waist gunner on a B-17 which was shot down
around February 1944. Thurman was taken prisoner
and held until approximatly until Maay 1945.
Thurman passed away in July 1995 and we have
some of his personal recollections and oral
history such as Stalg that he was held in and
moved to, but nothing as to what happened to his
crew and if the plane had a name or not. I
thought I would seek the infomation because a
fellow co-worker whose father was in the 91st BG
also was taken POW and after their personal
search they found a name and pictures of the
crew and plane. I was hoping to find similar
information.I would also be willing to join your
orginization as a honor to all veterans past and
present. Sincerely, Mike Testerman
Mike, S/Sgt Thurman P. Smotherman, Right
Waist/Gunner, was in the 379th Bombardment Group
(H) and flew 3 missions with the 527th Bomb
Squadron from 2/04/44 to 2/08/44. The following
are the crew and their positions on their
mission to Frankfort, Germany on February 8,
1944 on aircraft 42-39782 (FO-M) "Pistol Packin'
Mama".
Rossberg Herbert D.-2nd Lt, P,
0-804509, Camillus, NY, Ardennes B 16 21
Bauer Mattew J. -2nd Lt, CP, 0-688731, Canmden,
NJ, POW Kupsick John A. -2nd Lt, N,
0-685654, Sand Coulee, MT, Returned
Dougherty James B. -2nd Lt, B, 0-681986,
Carlstadt, NJ, Ardennes B 41 30 Bennett
George F. -S/SGT, RO, 15339963, Wheeling,WV,
Returned Atkinson Charles E. -S/SGT, TT,
15084516, Indianapolis, IN, Returned Dugan
Edward P. -S/SGT, BT, 13145816, Indiana, PA,
RTMC Smotherman Thurman P. -SGT, RW,
37417414, Teresita, MO, POW Paplaskas Albert
F. -S/SGT, LW, 11087519, Methuen, MA, Ardennes B
12 4 Brown Frederick H. Jr. -S/SGT, TG,
31084894, West Warren, MA, POW
John A.
Kupsick is listed on the current Association
membership roster.
Responding4 11/05/02
Mike
Search No. 1091 - Clarence Ashcraft
(Shack)
From: Nancy Ashcraft McMurdy
[mailto:mcmurdy@stargate.net] Sent: Sunday,
October 27, 2002 10:19 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Help find
Dad's story
HI: My name is Nancy Ashcraft
my father, Master Sgt. Clarence Ashcraft (Shack)
served in the 379th as crew chief on the "Carol
Dawn". The pilot of this flying fortress Charles
Brown, wrote a story about my father back in the
early 90's entitled A Tribute to Shack. This was
published in Contrails with pictures of Dad, his
crew, and their plane. This article was a
treasured memento of mine which became even more
priceless after Dad's death in 1996. Due to a
very unfortunate family circumstance which has
happened this year I no longer have my copy of
this article. Is there a way I can replace this?
I would deeply appreciate any help you could
give me in this matter. Sincerely, Nancy
Ashcraft McMurdy
Nancy, As a member of the Association you can
order back issues of the Contrails. On the back
of each Contrails there is a PX order form which
lists the back issues that can be ordered. The
article entitled "A Tribute to Shack" was in the
August 89 Contrails. Also the home page on the
website has an PX order form.
Responding4 11/31/02 Mike
|