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From: Mark Frank
[mailto:eagle62@hickorytech.net]
Sent:
Thursday, June 03, 2004 9:45 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 43-38818 a
B-17 assigned to the 524th Bomb Squadron 379th
Bomb Group
What information can you
supply regarding this crew? My uncle was Mark R
Reynolds Jr., serial # 39713847. Also was the
bomber called “the missing links”, this is the
caption on a picture I have of the crew. Any and
all information is appreciated. Looking for
family members of the crew also.
Mark,
Sgt Mark Reynolds, Tail
Gunner, was in the 379th
Bombardment Group and flew 18
missions with the 524th Bomb
Squadron from 2/14/45 to
3/24/45. The following are
the crew on their last
mission to Hopsten, Germany
on 3/24/45 in aircraft
43-38818 (WA-L). The aircraft
was hit by flak, burst into
flames and exploded. Not
chutes were reported.
Howell Sylvester V. -2nd Lt,
P, O-835204, West Orange, NJ,
Ardennes A 31 12
Noble
Kenneth R. -2nd Lt, CP,
O-777780, Lakeside, OR, KIA
Weaver Melvin E. -2nd Lt,
B, O-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
The above
American European Cemeteries
(Ardennes A 31 12 etc.) have
the row, plot and grave
locations.
We not
show any family members
currently listed on the 379th
BG Association roster. Also
our records do not indicate a
name for aircraft 43-38818.
Our records indicate
that Sgt Mark Reynolds flew
the following 18 missions
with the 524th Bomb Squadron:
278, 281, 282, 283, 285, 286,
289, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295,
296, 300, 301, 304, 305 &
309.
We would
appreciate you sending us a
copy (via email) of the crew
picture giving us the names
of the crewmembers if you
have them. It would help us
identify “The Missing Links”.
Responding4 6/04/04
Mike
Search No. 1199 - William T Ayres,
POW
From: Evie Crocker
[mailto:texann@watervalley.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 11:04 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: S/Sgt Wm Toye Ayres POW Record 526
squadron, 379 Bomb Group
Need to find any one
who knew Wm T. {Bill} Ayers who was either a
navigator or bombardier on a b-17 with the 526
squdron, 379 Bomb Group station in England in
1943/44. His plane went down in 1944 and was
captured by Germans in France or Prussia. He was
5' 10'' tall, blue eyes, blond hair. Was born in
Ms but may have claimed Texas as home. He
escaped and recaptured , almost shot because
Germans mistaken him as an AWOL German soldier.
He was able to prove he was an American. French
under ground either rescued him or he escaped
again and French underground found him. This was
about the end of the war. I need to find these
records to correct his headstone in Roseburg Or.
VA National Cemetery. His children must not know
of his time in the Marine Corp in 1938 - 1942 or
his POW time.
Thank you
for any assistance you may give us.
Evelyn Crocker
1 st
cousin
Evelyn,
This is the only
William T Ayres we have
listed in the 379th
Bombardment Group and is
presumed to have entered the
service at Jonesboro, AR. His
serial number is 11998700 as
shown below and should help
you in obtaining his military
records.
Sgt William T
Ayres, waist Gunner, was in
the 379th Bombardment Group
and flew 1 mission with the
526th Bomb Squadron. The
following are the crew on
their 1st mission to Nazaire,
France on 5/29/43 in aircraft
42-29878 (LF-G) “Lady
Godvia”:
Peterson
Theodore M. -Capt, P,
O-730596, Salt Lake City, UT,
Returned
Bourn Jack W.
-2nd Lt, CP, O-73351,
Piedmont, CA, POW Stalag 3
(033)
Moore Woodrow T.
-2nd Lt, N, O-732754,
Baltimore, MD, POW Stalag 3
(033)
Rosacker Warren J.
-2nd Lt, B, O-732979, Topeka,
KS, POW Stalag 3 (033)
Scott J. M. -T/SGT, RO,
37348081, Pueblo, CO,
Returned
Spencer M. M.
-S/SGT, TT, 35259289,
Rockville, IN, POW
Blubaugh W. E. -S/SGT, BT,
37430282, Akron, OH, POW
Stalag 17B (025)
Ayres W.
T. -SGT, RW, 11998700,
Jonesboro, AR, POW Stalag 4
(091)
Cribelar P. R.
-S/SGT , LW, 35364774,
Indianapolis, IN, POW Stalag
17B (025)
Brown C.A.
-S/SGT, TG, 17020430,
Leavenworth, KS, POW Stalag 3
(033)
We suggest that
you try to get a copy his
personnel file from the
National Personnel Records
Center, Military Records
Branch, 9700 Page Ave., St.
Louis Mo. 63132-5100. Many
personnel files were
destroyed in the St. Louis
Record Center fire in 1973.
The Center uses alternate
sources to reconstruct basic
service information of
records that were lost in the
fire. (See URL for form 180
below) They have
reconstructed the records and
may tell you they don’t have
them, but they do have
something be persistent.
Please let us know of your
progress.
http://www.nara.gov/regional/mprsf180.html
Responding4 6/04/04
Mike
God
Bless you , Mike; You made my
day! This is my cousin, I had
such little information to go
on when I began this search
about three years ago. Mostly
hear say from the families'
memory and postcards as
mentioned before. I have
pictures upon pictures of him
in uniform, my favorite is
him in flight gear preparing
to step into a plane. I don't
think it was a B-17, I think
it was a plane at Pampa Tx.
Air field which he took a hop
back to his base. I will
email you a .jpg and let you
tell me what type of plane it
was.
He
was my eldest Crocker cousin
and my hero. I never met him
but one time when he visited
us after returning from
Germany, I think I was about
8 or 9 yrs old. He was loved
by all.
Would you include him in your
Taps, he died September 1977
in VA Hospital , Eugene, Or.
is buried at Roseburg Or. VA
National Cemetery. He retired
in 1960 after 22 years of
serving his country. His home
was Venita, Or. , He left
four children, a son, Wm.
Warren Ayres, Air Force
Veteran ; Janice Ayres
Marshall; Cheri Ayres
Spencer, and Vicki Ayres,
Marine Veteran. and nine
cousins who loved him dearly.
His Marine service time was
left off his marker as well
as POW time.
Plan to join the association
soon.
Regards
Evelyn Crocker
WAC Veteran
Search No. 1198 - Robert L Davis
From: Michael
Davis [mailto:MDavis@dir.state.al.us]
Sent:
Wednesday, June 02, 2004 9:08 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: search for my
father robert l. davis
I have recently
learned that my dad was assigned to the 8th Air
Force Squadron, stationed in England and was
shot down on a bombing raid over Germany circa
May 24th 1944. If there is a web site that lists
MIA's or POW's during WWII, could you please
supply it? If anyone has information on Robert
L. Davis, from Sunnyside, Washington, please let
me know. Thank you for a great web page!!
Sincerely, Michael E. Davis
Michael,
Sorry we are
unable to find your father in
our 379th BG records. If he
was a POW you could check the
NARA POW punch card database.
These records were input from
German POW camp records and
Red Cross information. Like
most military databases there
are some errors (spelling,
wrong Bombs Groups) but for
the most part they are
helpful.
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/search.jsp?file_id=645&coll_id=null
You will need to
refresh your screen because
it will give you an error
message when you access it.
Scroll down until you see the
input screen, type in his
name or serial number and hit
return. Having your fathers
serial number will make
identification easier in
obtaining his service
records.
Then check
the box by the correct name
and click on show record. The
record shows S/Sgt Robert L
Davis assigned to the 447 BG.
(serial no 19145201) The
record may show the last POW
camp of internment. I will
send you a separate copy
which will include what the
NARA records looks like
rather then trying to post
them on the website.
Responding4 6/2/04
Mike
Thank you so much for this
information!!! It appears
that my father was assigned
to the 447th BG, and assigned
to the 711 D W Leach crew. I
am thinking about joining the
447th group and even
considering attending their
reunion in October in Kansas
City. I will try to email
members of the 447th to see
if they know more about my
father's service to the
squadron. Thank you again for
your effort!! I love your web
page!! Sincerely, Michael
Davis
Search No. 1197 - Paul G Cavaliere
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From: Bob
Cavaliere [mailto:scavaliere@cox.net]
Sent:
Monday, May 31, 2004 4:23 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Paul G.
Cavaliere
My father, Paul G. Cavaliere,
was a navigator in Squadron 525 of the 379th
Bombardment Group who flew approximately 22
missions between January 1945 and March 1945. He
passed away in 1984. I recently began to
research his military records and I joined your
association a few months ago. My mom found an
old photograph on the back of which Dad had
written all the dates and targets of his
missions and I can see that they coincide with
those listed on the Association's list of
mission reports for sale.
Can you tell me
in general what type of information is shown in
those reports? Is there any way to find out the
name or the serial number of the aircraft(s)
he flew on? How would I go about searching for
men who might have known him? Is there any other
information I can give you which might be useful
in responding to my questions? Thank you in
advance for any information you might provide
and thank you for the work you do. If he was
still alive today, I would have invited my Dad
to the dedication of the WWII Memorial which was
just held this weekend in Washington, D.C., as I
live in suburban Virginia and work in
Washington.
Thank you again.
Bob
Cavaliere
Bob,
Flight
Officer Paul G Cavaliere, Navigator, was in the
379th Bombardment Group and flew with the 525th
Bomb Squadron from 1/23/45 to 4/17/45. The
following are the crew on their 1st mission to
Neuss, Germany on 1/23/45 in aircraft 43-38178
"Seattle Sue":
Wilson, Harold P 2nd Lt
Pilot
Phillips Jr., James A 2nd Lt Co-Pilot
Cavaliere, Paul G F/O Navigator
Snyder Jr.,
James C Cpl Nose Gunner/Togglier
Robertson,
Jack W Cpl Radio Operator/Gunner
Broyles,
Robert R S/Sgt Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Barnest, Luttrel L Cpl Ball Turret Gunner
Dandrea, Henry T Cpl Waist Gunner
Tennell,
Ralph S Cpl Tail Gunner
Jack W Robertson
is shown on the current Association membership
roster. It is possible that other Association
members may have flown with your father as he
did fly some missions with different
crewmembers.
Our records indicate that
F/O Cavaliere flew the following 21 missions
with the 525th Bomb Squadron: 271, 272, 273,
277, 280, 281, 282, 284, 285, 286, 290, 292,
293, 294, 299, 301, 303, 305, 306, 325 & 327. It
is possible that he flew more but our records
only indicate the ones listed.
We would
appreciate any crew pictures and/or stories to
add to our Associations memorabilia. Welcome to
the 379th BG Association, we hope to see you in
Dayton!
Responding4 6/01/04
Mike
Search No. 1196 - Billie E Potter
From: Scott
[mailto:bonbon475@adelphia.net]
Sent: Sunday,
May 30, 2004 8:04 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: dads plane and
crew
My dad, Billie Eugene Potter was a
tail gunner on the Round Twip Wabbit, 524th bomb
squadron. I am his son Scott and we are
attempting to find anyone who knew the plane or
if any of his fellow crew members are still
around.
Any help would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you.
Scott,
S/Sgt Billie E Potter, Tail Gunner, was
in the 379TH Bombardment Group and flew 35
missions with the 524th Bomb Squadron From
8/18/44 to 1/03/45. The following are the crew
on their 2nd mission to Merserburg, Germany on
8/24//44 in aircraft 43-38256 (WA-C) "Our Baby":
Carlson, Vernon P, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Boecking, Robert H, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Cohen,
George J, 2nd Lt, Navigator
Michel, Roland,
2nd Lt, Bombardier
Gross, Michael H, Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Manley, Harry J, Sgt,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Scrimali, Louis C,
Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Hunter, Thomas M,
Sgt, Waist Gunner
Potter, Billie E, Sgt, Tail
Gunner
Robert H Boecking is on the
current Association membership roster. This crew
flew on various aircraft during their tour of
duty. The aircraft flown the most was "Round Twip Wabbit" 43-38466 (WA-D) with 8 combat
missions.
Our records indicate that S/Sgt
Potter flew the following missions with the
524th Bomb Squadron: 191,192, 196, 197, 199
Abort, 200, 201, 203, 204, 207 Abort, 208, 211,
212, 213, 216, 219, 222, 223, 225, 226, 227,
229, 230 did not take off, 235, 236, 238, 241,
242, 244, 246, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 255, 259
& 260.
Responding4 3/31/04
Mike
Search No. 1195 - Wilton E Gease
From: Suzanne [mailto:the1906house@charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 3:49 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Information
concerning 2Lt Wilton E. Gease, Pilot of B-17
Old Fox
To Whom It May Concern:
My
husband showed me your sight and I got all
excited as I would like to know more about my
Father’s war years. We know he was stationed at
Kimbolton Air Field about 1944. We think his
plane was called the Old Fox however he had
mentioned changing the name to Terry and the
Pirates. We think he flew 5 missions before
going down in a collision with another plane in
formation over Germany At this time he looked
over at his co-pilot and he was dead. He gave
the order to abandon ship. He made his way to
the “hole” to jump and again told the men to
jump. He had his parachute in his hand when he
jumped and put it on going down. He landed in a
tree in Germany. His face was completely burnt.
Somehow he got out of the tree and walked to the
nearest village. He was arrested and taken to a
POW camp. He was also marched to another camp.
Sorry to be so cryptic but this is how I
remember his story. He also said he was
liberated from the POW camp by Gen. Patton. My
father was given the Purple Heart as well as
some other metals that I can’t recall. My Father
passed away December 18, 1993 in Santa Cruz Co.
California. My father was born May 23, 1916 in
Stockton, California. He was a wonderful man and
I miss him everyday. I have sent my registration
form and $30.00 today. I can hardly wait to hear
from you.
Sincerely,
Suzanne von Gease
Noonkester
PS After the war my father
became an editor of a small town news paper and
added ‘von’ to the last name of Gease. He
thought it looked more, shall we say lateedah.
During his war years he went by Wilton E. Gease.
Suzanne,
Lt Wilton E Gease, Pilot, was in the
379th Bombardment Group and flew 18 missions
with the 525th Bomb Squadron from 4/19/44 to
5/24/44. The following are the crew on their
last mission to Berlin, Germany 5/24/44 aircraft
42-37784 (FR-P) "THE OLD FOX"; mid-air collision
(with 42-38082) after being attacked by
fighters.
Gease Wilton E. -2nd Lt, P,
O-691253, Los Gatos, CA, POW
Gastineau Lucien
O. -2nd Lt, CP, O-818851, Charleston, WV, KIA
Lorentz Robert J. -F/O, N, T-123942, Sioux
Falls, SD, KIA
O'Neal Richard -2nd Lt, B,
O-757550, Greensboro, NC, KIA
Egan Roger W.
-T/SGT, RO, 36644083, Park Ridge, IL, KIA
Fenity Edward L. -T/SGT, TT, 16051743,
Galesburg, IL, KIA
Amalfitano John J Jr.
-S/SGT, BT, 32798044, Brooklyn, NY, KIA
Chestnut Robert F. -S/SGT, WG, 19162066, Beverly
Hills, CA, KIA
Fetterolf Carl S. -S/SGT, TG,
33521377, Hardyville, VA, KIA
Our records
indicate that Lt. Gease flew the following
missions with the 525th Bomb Squadron: 8, 100,
101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 110, 111, 112, 114,
115, 116, 117, 119, 120, 122, 124.
Welcome to the 379th BG Association, we hope to
see you in Dayton!
Responding4 5/30/04
Mike
Search No. 1194 - Joseph J
Hilderbrand
From: THEODORE GAMBOGI
[mailto:thgambogi@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday,
May 17, 2004 6:11 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: info on
mission 8/17/1943
I've been looking for
info on Navigator 1st Lt Joseph J Hilderbrand
who was killed on the bomb run made on August
17th 1943. His plane was called "Peter Wabbit"
Ser # 42-29830.If you have any information on
his flights, or crew, I'd like to hear about
them
Thank you Ted Gambogi Jr
Theodore,
Lt. Joseph Hilderbrand, Navigator,
flew 13 missions with the 379th Bombardment
Group 525th Bomb Squadron from 5/29/43 to
8/17/43. The following are the crew and on their
last mission to Schweinfurt, Germany on 8/17/43
in aircraft 42-29830 (FR-A) “Peter Wabbit”:
Wagner Erwalt D. -1st Lt, P, O-731702,
Waterloo, IA, KIA
Barnard William C. -2nd
Lt, CP, O-731790, Dixon, CA, KIA
Hilderbrand
Joesph J. -2nd Lt, N, O-667404, Mantua Hgts.,
NJ, Lorraine J 25 24
Gibbs Kenneth F. -2nd
Lt, B, O-733304, Lancaster, PA, Lorraine E 32 23
Radensky Benjamin (NMI) -T/SGT, RO, 19065065,
Sacramento, CA, Lorraine J 33 24
Cushman
Henry I. -T/SGT, TT, 11021229, Fall River, MA,
KIA
Donahue Francis J. - S/SGT, BT,
11052780, North Graffton, MA, KIA
Andruss
Eldred J. -S/SGT, RW, 18066103, Seymour, TX,
Lorraine D 13 34
Charlson Marvin T. -S.SGT,
LW, 37296175, Wapleton, ND, KIA
Yates Dean
J. -S/SGT, TG, 39829397, Mona, UT, Lorraine B 25
10
Our records indicate that Lt.
Hilderbrand flew the following missions with the
525th Bomb Squadron: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10,
11, 12, 18, 20 & 21.
Responding4 5/24/04
Mike
Search No. 1193 - Matthew Karcich
From: Mark A Draper
[mailto:mad_pilot@sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
Saturday, May 22, 2004 11:32 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Grandfathers
airplane
My grandpa was a navigator in
the 379th. I have always been fascinated by his
stories and am a pilot myself. He recently
passed away, but in his old age was never able
to remember the name of the airplane he was in.
I would appreciate it if anyone might know. His
name was Matthew Karcich and served may-june of
1944 I believe.
Mark
Mark,
Lt Matthew Karcich, Navigator, was in
the 379th Bombardment Group and flew missions
with the 526th Bomb Squadron from 4/30/44 to
7/17/47. The following are the crew on their 2nd
mission to Reims, France on 5/1/44 in aircraft
42-31043 (LF-L) “Elsie Mae”:
Osborne,
Joseph (NMI), Lt, Pilot
Vogel, Carl G, Lt,
Co-Pilot
Karcich Jr., Matthew F, Lt,
Navigator
Archdeacon, John R, Lt, Bombardier
Fama, Elmo (NMI), Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Jeffcoat, Harry A, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Dilworth, William L, Sgt, Ball
Turret Gunner
Waite Jr., John (NMI), Sgt,
Right Waist Gunner
Desouchet Jr., William O,
Sgt, Left Waist Gunner
Nelson, William F,
Sgt, Tail Gunner
We do not show any
crewmembers on the current Association
membership roster. Our records indicate that Lt.
Karcich, flew the following missions with the
526th Bomb Squadron: 107, 109, 113, 115, 116,
117, 118, 119, 123, 124, 126, 127, 129, 130,
133, 134, 136, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 146,
147, 148, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161
Abort, 162, 166 &167.
Responding4 5/23/04
Mike
Search No. 1192 - Ira George
Eppinger
From: Willette Family
[mailto:willfam007@cox.net]
Sent: Saturday,
May 22, 2004 12:29 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Ira George
Eppinger
I would love a copy of my
father’s missions, and the serial number of his
aircraft. He served at Kimbolton Oct ’44-April
’45.
Thank you. Carol Eppinger-Willette
Carol,
Lt Ira G Eppinger, Navigator, was in
the 379th Bombardment Group and flew missions
with the 524th Bomb Squadron from 11/01/444 to
3/07/45. The following are the crew on their 2nd
mission to Sterkrade, Germany on 11/2/44 in
aircraft 43-37851 (WA-O)"Goo Goo". Aircraft
43-37851 “Goo Goo” was flown on most of this
crews missions.
Simpkins Jr., Howard W,
2nd Lt, Pilot
Gjelvik, Edgar C, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot
Eppinger, Ira G, F/O, Navigator
Parker, Raymond W, 2nd Lt, Bombardier
Yeomans, Donald D, Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Abrashoff, Kero, Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Sterner, Guy S, Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner
Delong, Walter B, Sgt, Waist Gunner
Hill, Mack W, Sgt, Tail Gunner
We do
not show any crewmembers on the current
Association membership roster. Our records
indicate that Lt. Eppinger flew the following
missions with the 524th Bomb Squadron: 229, 230,
213 Abort, 232, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244,
246, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 255, 256,
258, 260, 262, 265, 266, 268, 269, 271, 272,
274, 275, 276, 278 Abort, 280, 281, 284, 288,
289, 291, 292 & 295.
Responding4 5/23/04
Mike
Search No. 1191 - Calvin D Schapira
From: Rick Schapira [mailto:RICKS@DNFSB.GOV]
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:29 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Information on
Calvin D. Schapira
I would appreciate any
information on my father, Calvin D. Schapira,
who was a pilot with the 379th from
approximately October 1943 until May 1944.
Rick,
Lt. Calvin D. Schapria, Co-Pilot, was
in the 379th Bombardment Group and flew missions
with the 526th Bomb Squadron from 11/16/43 to
3/03/44. The following are the crew on their 1st
mission to Knaben, Norway on 11/16/43 in
aircraft 42-39783 (LF-B)"Blues in the Nite":
Jaynes, Donald B, Lt, Pilot
Schapira,
Calvin D, Lt, Co-Pilot
Simpson, Jack T, Lt,
Navigator
Cole, Lloyd R, Lt, Bombardier
Dolph, Ralph (NMI), S/Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Bolen, Edward L, S/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner
Stockwell, James E, Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Crain, Reynold B, Sgt, Right Waist Gunner
Brewster, Charles H, Sgt, Left Waist Gunner
Callendar, Lynn C, Sgt, Tail Gunner
Donald B Jaynes is shown on the current
Association membership roster. Our records
indicate that Lt. Schapria flew the following
missions with the 526th Bomb Squadron:
42,
43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 55, 58, 60, 62, 63,
64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76. It
is possible that he flew more but our records
only indicate the ones listed above.
Responding4 5/20/04
Mike
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