From: erin oneill
[mailto:emo2981@optonline.net] Sent:
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 12:15 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: august
giannatasio
Hi. I'm looking for any
information regarding my fiance's great
great(great?) uncle. His name is August
Giannatasio. He is not 100% sure he was in the
379th bombardment group. He believes he was
though. He thinks he was in the 525th squadron.
If you have any information please email me.
Thank you, Erin
From: MICHAEL BONAFFINI
[mailto:bonaffini@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, January 16,
2004 2:59 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: information on my
great uncle
hi i
just emailed you on my uncle
and i forgot to tell you his
name. i ahve been tryign for
days now to get his info but
everywhere i have been
stumped . his name is August
Giannattasio. other than that
the family does not know the
name of his plane or of any
crew, and we are not sure of
the date of his death we know
that my great grandmother got
word close to the end of the
war but we know he was shot
down a while before he was
pronounced dead. thank you
again and im sorry for the
two emails but this is an
emotional topic that id like
to find out the facts for the
memorial i want to make for
him and to present it to my
father
respectfully
yours again Michael
Bonaffini
hi
my name is Michael
Bonaffini and my great uncle
was in the 379 i believe he
was in the 525 bombardment
squadron. i know he was
killed in action but i was
wondering if there are any
pictures of the crew and
their b-17? once my great
grandmother got the news she
threw out all pictures and
medals of him except his
Purple Heart and Distingished
Flying Cross with Oak
Cluster. If you or anyone has
any information and pictures
on him and his crew i would
greatly appreciate it to make
afitting memorial for the
crew in the mosolium that he
is buried in. Also the names
of his crew and if possible
their family so that i may
give them a copy to remember
their loved ones by. thank
you and i hope you can help
me
respectfully yours
Michael Bonaffini
Erin, Michael, August
Giannatasio, Nose
Gunner/Togglier, was in the
379th Bombardment group and
flew missions with the 527th
Bomb Squadron from 01/22/45
to 04/10/45. The following
are the crew and their
positions on their mission to
Oranienburg, Germany on
04/10/45 in aircraft
43-39003. The aircraft was
attacked by ME262’s and went
down immediately, 4 chutes
were seen.
Howard
Walter H. -1st Lt, P,
O-831193, Harrison, OH, POW
Hall Donald E. -2nd Lt,
CP, O-928835, Angelica, NY,
POW Widawsky Gerald J.
-F/O, N, T-132416, Brooklyn,
NY, POW Giannattasio
August R. -S/SGT, NG,
31189089, Bridgeport, CT, KIA
Hanley James F. -T/SGT,
RO, 16119710, Saginaw, WI,
POW Huntley Homer E.
-S/SGT, TT, 34666858,
Peachland, NC, KIA Rider
Chester G. -S/SGT, TG,
38662775, Batesville, AR, POW
Schalley Harold E.
-S/SGT, BT, 37199058, St.
Joseph, MO, Ardennes B 25 7
Gerald J. Widawsky is
shown on the current
Association roster and is our
Webmaster.
Responding4
1/24/04 Mike
Erin & Michael: August
"Gus" Giannatasio flew 34
missions with me until April
10, 1945 when we were shot
down by an ME262 (German Jet
Fighter). We worked together
in the nose of a the B-17. He
was Nose Gunner/Togglier and
his job was to man the two 50
cal machine guns in the chin
turret of the B17 on the way
to the target and on the
return trip. When we got to
the target he released the
bombs. I was the navigator on
the plane and I worked right
behind Gus.
On April
10th after we got hit, the
explosion knocked out our
intercom system so we could
only communicate with hand
signals. I turned to Gus and
motioned to him that we had
to bail out. He gave me a
"thumbs up" and we headed for
the escape hatch. We had a
hard time getting the hatch
open but we finally did. I
jumped and Gus was right
behind me. That was the last
time I ever saw him. Years
later I heard that he got
down OK, but was killed on
the ground. Two others on our
crew died that day, but they
never left the aircraft.
I knew your uncle very
well, we met in Tucson,
Arizona where we trained
together as a crew on B-24's
before we were sent overseas
to fly combat in B-17's.
I hope this note gives
you some background about
Gus. He was a great guy.
Jerry Widawsky
Search No. 1169 - Reno Neitzke
From: Gary Neitzke [mailto:neitzkeG@alltel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 11:32 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject:
I am seeking any
information regarding my dad, Reno (Rocky)
Neitzke. He was a B-17 Bombadier and flew out of
Kimbolton.
Thanks,
Gary Neitzke
Gary, S/Sgt Reno Neitzke,
Ball Turret/Gunner, was in
the 379th Bombardment group
and flew missions with the
526th Bomb Squadron from
08/08/44 to 04/19/45. The
following is the crew and
their positions on their
mission to Germund, Germany
on 01/17/45 in aircraft
44-6119 “White Lightin”.
Miller, Elmonte R, Lt,
Pilot Nowacki, Jack W,
Lt, Co-Pilot Ortman,
Lowell D, Lt, Navigator
Neitzke, Reno D, Pvt, Nose
Gunner/Togglier Lohr,
John F, T/Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Weese,
Jackson D, T/Sgt,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Cunningham, Charles L,
S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Whiting, Edward J, S/Sgt,
Waist Gunner Johnson,
Marvin J, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
Our records indicate
that S/Sgt Neitzke flew 25
missions with the 526th Bomb
Squadron. It is possible that
he flew more but our records
only indicate the ones
listed: 199, 219, 253, 254,
257, 260, 261, 262, 265, 267,
272, 274, 276, 281, 282, 283,
287, 289, 290, 291, 300, 301,
304, 305 & 328. S/Sgt Neitzke
flew with various pilots and
crewmembers during his tour,
however most of his missions
were flown on aircraft
44-6119 “White Lightin”.
Responding4 1/20/04
Mike
Search No. 1168 - S/Sgt Max W.
Dahm
From: ames and
Valerie Hill [mailto:vjhill@access4less.net]
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 4:44 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: ssgt Max W
Dahm 527th
Sirs- I am putting together
some info for my wife on her father Max W Dahm,
got his service records and they state 527th
from 8 oct '42 thru 7 oct'45. know he spent some
time as POW but am looking for more info,
anything and everything. I will be purchasing
the anthology, and I will make a copy of the one
photo I have with him and 9 others in front of
left wing of 17, would like contact these other
men also if they have not passed. unfortunatly I
will have to snail the photo to you. you may
keep. and if poss can I get a direct reply?
Thanks, James and Valerie (Dahm) Hill
James and Valerie, S/Sgt
Max W. Dahm, Waist Gunner,
was in the 379th Bombardment
group and flew missions with
the 527th Bomb Squadron from
12/07/43 to 01/30/44. The
following is the crew and
their positions on their
mission to Brunswick, Germany
on 01/30/44 in aircraft
42-31535. The aircraft (A/C)
was attacked by 8 ME-109’s
the A/C was hit in the gas
tanks and went straight down
on fire before the bomb run.
Adams Kenneth D. -1st Lt,
P, 0-801235, Knoxville, TN,
POW Bowden Jack M. -2nd
Lt, CP, 0-680397, Slidell,
LA, POW Morkus Vincent A.
-2nd Lt, N, 0-809685,
Hartford, CT, POW Rosen
Leonard (NMI) -2nd Lt, B,
0-682514, Brooklyn, NY, POW
Stambush Archie (NMI)
-T/SGT, RO, 15334072,
Evansville, IN, POW
Tunink John P. T/SGT TT
37267173 Elgin, NE POW
Olson Charles M. -S/SGT, BT,
13121408, Bristol, TN, POW
Yragui Joseph N. -S/SGT,
RW, 39831885, Twin Falls, ID,
POW Dahm Max W. -S/SGT,
LW, 39191642, Everett, WA,
POW Stalag4 Tyndell Frank
J. -TG, 36537283, Detroit,
MI, KIA
Our records
indicate that S/Sgt Dahm flew
5 missions with the 527th
Bomb Squadron. It is possible
that he flew more but our
records only indicate the
ones listed: 48, 49, 58, 60,
62.
Responding4
01/12/04 Mike
Search No. 1167 - Arthur C.
Fawcett
|
From: scott
plenskofski [mailto:Scottplen@aol.com] Sent:
Wednesday, January 07, 2004 6:02 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: tech sergent
arthur c. fawcett 12029778
hello I am
doing research on this gentleman he was with
526th bomber sq 379th bomber group hes was
listed in abmc.gov as kia 12-20-1943 ! any info
on his plane and how he was killed would be
helpful !also what he did on plane ! I do this
for a hobby I have obtained his air medal I
collect ww 1 and 2 named medals and groups and
try to research them would like to know what
happened to him ! ! have sent you check for
mission report for this date ! please let me
know if you can help lead me in the right
direction to find his info thanks scott
plenskofski
Scott, T/Sgt
Arthur Fawcett, SN 12029778, Radio
Operator/Gunner, was in the 379th Bombardment
group and flew missions with the 526th Bomb
Squadron from 11/26/43 to 12/20/43. The
following is the crew and their positions on
their mission to Bremen, Germany on 12/20/43 in
aircraft 42-39789 (LF-W) "SKUNKFACE":
Elliott, William A, Lt, Pilot Fisher,
Richard W, Lt, Co-Pilot Rockwell, James L,
Lt, Navigator Cashatt, Burton W, Lt,
Bombardier Fawcett, Arthur C, T/Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Williams, Raymond, T/Sgt,
Top Turret Gunner Corwin, Charles J, S/Sgt,
Ball Turret Gunner Wikle, Logan D, S/Sgt,
Right Waist Gunner Payne, Udolphus D, S/Sgt,
Left Waist Gunner Fiorenti, William J, S/Sgt,
Tail Gunner
No other details are
available about the following: Fawcett Arthur
C. - 12029778, Canaseraga, NY, KIA Fiorenti
William J. - Cincinnati, OH, KIA Payne
Udolphus - 34440524, Bookville, GA, POW
Responding4 01/12/04 Mike
Search No. 1166 - S/Sgt. William
Sibo
From:
Sibo
[mailto:AZBarnwell@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday,
January 03, 2004 2:51 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 379th Bomber
Wing
I am interested in
finding out whatever I can about my father, who
was in the 379th Bomber Group from 1943-1945
(crew photo attached). My father's name was
William Sibo and he was the Flight Engineer/Top
Turrett Gunner. I believe the captain's name was
James Martin. I would like to know the name of
their plane, the other crew members names, and
any information about missions they flew. They
were stationed in Kimbolton, England.
Sir, S/Sgt. William Sibo, Top Turret/Gunner
was in the 379th Bombardment group and flew
missions with the 525th Bomb Squadron from
03/02/45 to 04/17/45. The following is the crew
and their positions on their 1st mission to
Chemnitz, Germany on 03/03/45 in aircraft
43-38178 "Seattle Sue".
Martin Jr, James,
2nd Lt, Pilot Carver, Clarence E, 2nd L,t
Co-Pilot Dell, Melvin M, 2nd Lt, Navigator
Pomeroy, Robert F, Sg, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Poovey, James H, Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Sibo, William J, Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Fellows, William A, Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Umphrey, Orval L, Sgt, Waist Gunner Mcnella,
Samuel H, Sgt, Tail Gunner
Our records
indicate that S/Sgt William Sibo flew 19
missions with the 525th Bomb Squadron. It is
possible that he flew more but our records only
indicate the ones listed: 292, 293, 294, 298,
299, 301, 303, 305, 306, 307, 311, 312, 313,
314, 318, 323, 324, 325 & 327. Most of the
crew's missions were flown on aircraft 43-38679
"Miss Liberty".
Responding4 01/12/04
Mike
Search No. 1165 - Lt. GJ Schlesinger
From:
Kathryn Hollis [mailto:hkhollis@msn.com]
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 1:38 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Lt. G.J.
Schlesinger 0-822970
My husband and I are
researching Lt. Gilbert J. Schlesinger, who was
in the 379th Bomb Group, 527 Sq. Our
information, thus far, has lead us to believe
that he was a pilot for "Miss Lace" (B-l7-F
#44-6140) FTR due to A/A (Flak) & crashed at
Zeitz, Ger. (Oil Refinery Target). Crashed on
November 30, '44. 8 KIAs & 1 POW. Any further
information would be very valuable and very
appreciated
Kathryn, Lt.
Gilbert J. Schlesinger, Pilot, was in the 379th
Bombardment group and flew missions with the
527th Bomb Squadron from 9/10/44 to 11/30/44.
The following is the crew and their positions to
Zietz, Germany on 11/30/44 in aircraft 44-6140
FO-U "Miss Lace".
Schlesinger, Gilbert J,
2nd Lt, Pilot, KIA Mertens, Howard G, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot, KIA Durham, Chester M, S/Sgt,
Nose/Gunner, KIA, Henri Chapelle Zivanidis,
Theodore, 2nd Lt, Navigator, KIA, Henri Chapelle
Bowles Jr, Charles V, S/Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner, KIA, Ardennes Bonderski,
Bernard, T/Sgt, Engineer/TT Gunner, KIA,
Lorraine Griffith, Shirley C, Sgt, Ball
Turret Gunner, KIA Schoch, Stewart W, S/Sg,t
Waist Gunner, KIA, Lorraine Bush, Eugene B,
Sgt, Tail Gunner, POW
Responding4
01/04/03 Mike
Search No. 1164 - Collection on Ebay
From: Rache
[mailto:rache@3dtext.co.uk] To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Thursday,
January 01, 2004 8:41 AM Subject: 379th Vet
collection on eBay
Hi there
Whilst
surfing eBay I found this interesting item that
you may want to purchase for your collection:
Here is the description of the item:
"379th Bombardment Group World War Two Veterans
scrap book and photo album containing many
personnel pictures, army documents, and other
items of interest. Album is about 14 inches long
and 11 inches across. Contains about 33 pages
containing the following items of interest.
Official Army documents all in the same persons
name as follows. A draft notice dated July 31,
1942, 2 related documents dated in August 1942
with reporting instructions and the granting of
a 14 day furlough to take care of personnel
matters before reporting for duty. US Army Air
Forces Technical school diploma showing a
passing grade in the Aircraft Armorers technical
school on 11 November 1942. Certificate of
proficiency from Air Forces tech School Lowry
Field, Colorado. Shows numerous proficeniency
scores including small arms, bomb racks,
explosives and ammo, chemical warfare etc.
Enlisted mans ID card European Theater of
Operations, Citation for Bronze Star Metal dated
December 31 1944. Graduation Banquet list from
North African DIVN Air Transport Command NCO
School Fedala French Morocco dated 27 July 1945.
His Graduating Certificate from the same NCO
School. A COPY of his Honorable discharge dated
13 September 1945. A COPY of his official
enlisted record showing dates of service, medals
awarded etc. His Immunization record. His Army
separation Qualification record dated 13 Sept
1945. Rest of album contains about 190 period
photos. Some are personnel in nature, others are
from basic training, many show occupied Europe,
battle damaged towns, battle damaged air planes
(mostly B-17’s) Air field pictures and general
every day army air force life pics. This came
from the estate of an Army Air Corp Veteran. I
have 2 other items related to the 379th
Bombardment group from the same estate also
listed at the moment, check my other auctions. A
hard to find veterans accumulation with many
period photos and documents."
The unit
history is also for sale, I'm not sure if this
is rare or not? Sounds like a valuable
collection, would be a shame to see it go to a
private collector!
Regards Rache
Rache, Copies of the book "Shades of
Kimbolton" can be purchased through our PX by
our membership. Unfortunately this information
most probably was obtained originally from an
estate sale. Most family members pass this
information on to their next generation
relatives (sons,daughters, grandchildren etc.)
In the Association we are very protective of
our membership and the commercializing of our
proud history (buying, selling and trading
veterans articles and information). All our
information can be obtained through the National
Archives, which includes our history, mission
reports etc. Over the years we have gathered
copies of the archived information intended for
use by our membership through our PX (WWII
Veterans of the group, Sons, Daughters,
Grandchildren, etc.).
I have found that
many of these sellers are from Europe buying,
selling and trading veterans articles and
information. Like trading baseball cards and
they don’t want to join the Association or even
buy any books of the History. Usually they have
purchased a diary or jacket etc. of a person
(airman) and want information to justify its
resale value. This looks like one of those
unfortunate situations.
Responding4
01/01/04 Mike
Search No. 1163 - Goo Goo
From: Robert Turk
[mailto:rwturk@citlink.net] Sent: Monday,
December 22, 2003 11:09 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Goo Goo
Dear Sirs, I'm sorry but I forgot to
include a couple questions in my last email. Was
Goo Goo, Wa-O 43-37851, a B-17F or a B-17G?
Also, on the tail Triangle K marking was there a
1 or other number placed at the center top
portion of the triangle to designate the plane
as part of the 524th Bomb Squadron? Thank you
once again. Robert Turk 2nd Generation
Member
Robert, The original Triangle K markings were
a black K on a white Triangle background and all
aircraft were olive & gray factory finish,
natural metal finish from March 1944. The
Bombardment Squadrons original designations
where; 524-WA, 525 FR, 526 LF & 527 FO. In July
of 1944 they changed the squadron markings to 1,
2, 3 & 4 dropping the letter designations. The
number 1 on the on the tail designated the 524th
Bombardment Squadron (2-525th, 3-526th, 4-527th
). Group marking changed in August 1944 to a
Triangle K on the wing and tail framed with a
yellow band. In most cases all tail markings
were repositioned, the squadron number was at
the top apex of the Triangle.
During
WWII Boeing, Douglas, and Vega built B-17’s for
the war effort. All aircraft manufactures
assembled the B-17 from Boeing specifications.
Aircraft 43-37851 WA-O "Goo Goo" was a B-17G
built by Boeing. The Aircraft was assigned to
the 379th BG inventory in July 1944. Lt Henry J.
McFadden and crew were shot down on the 379th's
322 mission to Oranieburg on April 10, 1945 by
Me262 jet aircraft. We were unable to find a
picture of the "Goo Goo".
Responding4
12/29/03 Mike
Search No. 1162 - Squadron
Insignia Lineage
From: Perron Paul J MSgt 379 EMXS/CCF
[mailto:Paul.Perron1@auab.aorcentaf.af.mil]
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 2:11 AM To:
'looking4@379thbga.org' Subject: Squadron
Insignia Lineage
To whom it may concern,
My name is Paul Perron, I'm in the USAF and
currently serving in the Middle East in support
of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Just so your organization knows, the 379th is
alive and well and is now the 379th Air
Expeditionary Wing. One of my hobbies is history
and I have been doing some research for my
squadron. I have been able to find the meaning
behind 379th Bomb Group patch, and what each
part of the patch stands for, but I am having a
difficult time finding out the particular
meaning behind the 524th, 525th, 526th and 527th
BS. If you or any of your members can help me
out it would be very much appreciated. Thank you
for your time today. All the best.
Sincere best wishes and warmest regards;
MSgt Paul "Rudy" Perron 379 EMXS/CCF
USCENTAF Al Udeid AB, Qatar
Rudy, Sorry it has taken a while to get back
to you. We also have been doing a little
research of our own in answering your question.
As you are aware information on the 397th
Bombardment Squadrons insignia's are difficult
to find especially when the insignia's for the
524th & 525th BS were changed in 1962. We were
unable to find the 1943 emblem information for
the 524th & 525th Bombardment Squadrons.
The following are the code names of the WWII
Squadrons: 524th Nightjar, 525th Haircut, 526th
Mystic & 527th Heartstring.
The New 524th
Squadron Insignia is as follows: Emblem; on red
disc bordered black, two green olive branches
arched bendwise throughout, surmonunted by two
lighting flashes throughout, issuing from Dexter
and sinister chief respectively and converging
in center base, each charged with two Air Force
blue stars in chief, one above the other. Motto:
On a white scroll, edged black, VIGILANCE FOR
PEACE, I inscribed in red. (Approved 3 Aug 1962)
The New 525th Squadron Insignia is as
follows: Emblem; On an Air Force blue disc
bordered Air Force golden yellow, a cloud
formation divided bend sinister-wise gray and
white, an Air Force golden yellow lightning
flash issuing from the division to Dexter chief,
the white part of the cloud surmounted in
sinister by a knight's helmet in profile,
silhouetted gray: over all bendwise a red and
white missile. (Approved 10 Jan 1962)
The
526th Squadron Insignia is as follows: Emblem.
On a light blue disc, border yellow-orange, a
red lighting bolt bendwise surmounted by a
golden falcon, outlined black; three mullets
gold, one in chief, one to sinister and one to
Dexter, in base a black aerial bomb falling
bendwise. (Approved July 10,1943)
The
527th Squadron Insignia is as follows: Emblem.
On a disc yellow, a pale black surmounted by two
white aerial bombs in saltire and a death's head
yellow, trimmed black and white, all drop
shadowed of black. (Approved March 29, 1943)
The above information was taken from the
book titled "World War II Combat Squadrons of
the USAF" written by Maurer Maurer (USAF
Historical Division Air University Department of
The Air Force) and is out of print. This book
was published in 1992 and has the official
military records of every active squadron.
The 1943 patches are shown on the
flightjacket website:
http://www.flightjacket.com/detail.aspx?ID=118
The 379th was reactivated as a medium
bombardment wing (B-47's) in November of 1955 at
Homestead AFB Florida. In January of 1957 after
14 months of training, the wing was combat
ready. The wing was composed of 47 planes, 44
combat crews and a total on 1,380 personnel,
including support personnel. In January 1961 the
wing was moved to Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan and in
May of 1961 began flying B-52H bombers. The
379th played an active role in the Vietnam War.
In 1990 the 379th was once again called upon for
the operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
with other wings as part of the 1708th
Provisional Bombardment Wing (PBW) delivering
20% of all ordinances during the war. The 1708th
had a drop rate of 99.6% accuracy and was
credited with a direct hit on an Iraqi
ammunitions plant, which created the largest
no-nuclear explosion ever recorded.
We
are very interested in hearing about the 379th
Air Expeditionary Wing. Please keep us informed
on how you're doing (pictures, activities etc)
Keep up the good work! We really do
appreciate what you are doing for our country!
Thank you!
Responding4 12/16/03 Mike
Search No. 1161 - B-17 Stormy
Weather
From: gary lloyd [mailto:gml@srv.net]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 6:06 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: B-17," STORMY
WEATHER.
CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THE INFO ON
THIS B-17, i THINK IT WAS SHOT DOWN AND CREW
TAKENl PRISONERS OF WAR. THANKS,
Gary, The following are the crew of 44-8837
“Stormy Weather” on their mission to Frankfurt,
Germany on 9/25/44.
Weenink, Russell S,
1st Lt, Pilot Sullivan, Edmund W, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot Smith Jr., Vivian M, 2nd Lt,
Navigator Hudacek, Frank J, F/O, Bombardier
Johnson, Albert W, Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner Barrett, Henry D, Sgt,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Lineberry, Paul
E, Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner Hartley, Robert
B, Sgt, Waist Gunner Pafko, Frank ,Sgt, Tail
Gunner
Lt Russell Weenik comments were
as follows: "We lost #2 engine over target at
1045 hours and dropped behind formation. We
headed for France and landed 1/2 mile west of
field at Peronne (near St. Quentin) at a P38
fighter field. The next day we returned to
base".
“Stormy Weather” completed her
last mission on April 25, 1945. This was the
379th Bombardment Group's 330th combat mission
and also their last mission of WWII. Stormy
Weather was transferred to the 490 BG in May
1945 prior to returning to the U S A in July
1945.
Responding4 12/14/03 Mike
|