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The Looking4 section is designed to help you find more information about someone who served in the 379th. Please send your inquiries to: looking4@379thbga.org
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Search No.  1280 - J. Harlan "Red" Worth

From: Judy Hartman, redworth@netins.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 6:47 PM
Subject: J. Harlan "Red" Worth

My dad, J. Harlan "Red" Worth served with the 379th group and I think it was from June 12 to August 30. We had pictures, which are now lost, but I do have his flight jacket. I also have a photo copy of a list of missions he flew. I would like to find out what planes he flew in. I seem to remember one named "Judy" and I think there was another one.
Thanks,
Judy Worth Hartman

 

 

Judy -
Association records for J. Harlan "Red" Worth show he flew 33 missions as Radio Operator/Engineer/Gunner with the 525th Squadron from June 8, 1944 to August 30, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 139, 142, 143, 146, 147, 148, 152, 155, 156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 177, 178, 179, 180, 182, 188, 190, 191, 192, 193 and 196. Sgt. Worth may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Sgt. Worth flew in a number of different aircraft, including 42-31592, "Nobody's Baby", 42-97678, "The Birmingham Jewel" (photo attached), 44-6143, "Miss Behavin", 42-97833, "Silver Dollar", 42-97462, "Julie II", 42-38183, "The Lost Angel", 43-37777, "Four of a Kind", 42-107213, "Rubble Rouser", 42-97302, "Scotch N' Soda", 43-37932, "Spratt-O-Liner", and 42-97128, "Screwball Express". Photos of the aircraft listed that we have in our files will be sent in separate e-mail. Crew of "The Birmingham Jewel" on Mission 142, and what looks like what could be called Sgt. Worth's "regular" crew are as follows:

Hersberger, Robert A, 1st Lt, Pilot
Beckwith, Bosworth C, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Moreau, Thomas P, 2nd Lt, Nav
Isham, Robert F, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Worth, J Harlan, Sgt, Radio Op
Wilkerson Jr., Allen T, Sgt, Top Turret
O'gurek, Stanley B, Sgt, Ball Turret
Mcdonald, Dale E, Sgt, Waist
Herrell, George, Sgt, Tail

Sorry, none of the listed crew is on our current Association roster. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 8/12/2005
Kent

Search No. 1279 - Edward W. Springer

From: "Robert A &Traci A Daniels" <radtad@townisp.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2005 12:00 PM
Subject: Edward W. Springer

Looking for any in formation on my father-law Mr Edward W. Springer, he was a pilot in the 525th at Kimbolton, England. Thank you very much.

Regards
Bob Daniels

Bob -
Association records for Edward W. Springer show he flew 31 missions as pilot with the 525th Squadron from April 19, 1944 to September 10, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 98, 99, 100, 101, 106, 108, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 129, 135, 137, 139, 140, 142, 144, 149, 151, 152, 156, 157, 158, 162, 163, 164, 165, 169, 170, and 201. Lt. (later Captain) Springer may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Captain Springer flew in a number of different aircraft, and with a number of different crews, including missions as Group and Wing lead ship, however crew on mission 98 (a/c 42-31228, "London Avenger" - sorry, no photo available), and what looks like what could be called his "regular" crew are as follows:

Springer, Edward W, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Noziglia, Robert E, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Lewis, Jasper L, 2nd Lt, Nav
Pahlen, Russell H, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Olson, Harold K, Sgt, Radio Op
Roupa, John F, Sgt, Top Turret
Wheeler, Leonard R, Sgt, Ball Turret
Greene, Thomas F, Sgt, Right Waist
Graves, Chalmas E, Sgt, Left Waist
Apicella, Raymond J, Sgt, Tail

Jasper Lewis and Thomas Greene are on our current Association roster. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 8/9/2005
Kent

Search No. 1278 - Crash of 42-31085 and 42-31189 on July 7, 1944

From: Günter Hartwich, ghartwich@yahoo.de
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 1:04 AM
Subject: Crash of 42-31085 and 42-31189 on July 7, 1944

Hello,
I'm a german guy who tries to set up a database of planes that crashed during the air battles on July 7th, 1944. The 379th Bomb Group lost two ships:
42-31085, pilot Riedman and 42-31189, pilot Harrah.
Can you tell me:
- their squadron code and a/c letter
- the circumstances of their loss
- the crash location
- the fate of the crewmembers.
- possibly a picture from the crews or plane?

Best regards from Germany
Günter

Gunter -
Association records for the Reidman and Harrah crews on the July 7, 1944 mission to the aircraft factory at Leipzig, and information on the crews is as follows (note that "RTB" indicates that crewmember Returned to Base):

A/C 42-31085 (524th Squadron Code WA-D, "Anita Marie") - believed lost due to flak

Riedman, John E, 1st Lt, Pilot, POW
Smith, Robert H, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA
Kelly, Sydney P, 2nd Lt, Bomb, KIA
Sarfaty, David E, 2nd Lt, Nav, POW
Moreno, Edmund V, TSgt, Radio Op, RTB
Rowe, Albert O, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Krosunger, Peter G, SSgt, Ball Turret, POW
Fields, Donald E, SSgt, Waist, POW
Pekonen, Ray W, SSgt,Tail, POW


A/C 42-31189 (525th Squadron Code FR-X, "Paragon") - hit by flak over target

Harrah, Robert M, 1st Lt, Pilot, POW
Giles, Robert E, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, POW
Tracy, Richard M, 2nd Lt, Nav, RTB
Ashbrook, Joseph L, 2nd Lt, Bomb, POW
Alexanian, John, Sgt, Radio Op, RTB
Cimino, Phillip, TSgt, Top Turret, , KIA
Mays, Kenneth E, SSgt, Ball Turret, POW
Garofalo, Frank E, SSgt, Waist, RTB
Campbell, William R, SSgt, Tail,RTB

John Riedman is on our current Association roster. Sorry, we have no photographs of either of these aircraft. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 8/2/2005
Kent

Search No. 1277 - Donald B. Armstrong

From: Dave Armstrong, dba322@woh.rr.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 12:24 PM
Subject: Donald B. Armstrong

My father, David and I, are trying to find out information related to the service of Dad's brother, my uncle, killed on December 22, 1943 in Dangerous Dan. We understand he was in Squadron 524. Dad has attempted to get his service records but was told they were destroyed in a fire at the records center in the 70's. Could you provide mission information for Donald?

Sincerely,
Dave Armstrong

Dave -
Association records for Donald B. Armstrong show he flew 16 missions as gunner with the 524th Squadron from May 29, 1943 to September 3, 1943. Our records indicate mission numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 26. Sgt Armstrong may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Although Sgt Armstrong did fly missions in a/c 42-29891 "Dangerous Dan, on the September 3, 1943 mission to the aircraft component factory at Romilly, France, Mission 26, he was flying in a/c 42-3300 (no name). Crew on that airplane was as follows:

Krafft, Julius W, 2nd Lt, Pilot, KIA
Toft, Norman E, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, POW
Jacobs, Ronald W, 2nd Lt, Nav, POW
Peifer, Thomas D, 1st Lt, Bomb, POW
Mckeegan, Hugh (NMI), TSgt, Radio Op, POW
Nolan, Morrison T, SSgt, Top Turret, POW
Frydryk, Frank P, SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Armstrong, Donald B, TSgt, Right Waist, KIA
Klump, Delbert W,TSgt, Left Waist, POW
Vandegriff, Robert A, SSgt, Tail, POW

Robert Vandegriff is on our current Association roster. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 7/24/2005
Kent

Search No. 1276 - Ted Hawerlander

From:  John Bicknell, j.bicknell@comcast.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 3:45 PM
Subject: Ted S Hawerlander

Looking for aircraft name, crew list photos etc for Ted S. Hawerlander, TSgt-Radio operator. His daughter (my wife) & I just took a ride on the B-17G Fuddy Duddy and she would like to learn more. He talked very little about those days and has been gone many years.

Thanks,
John

John -
Association records for Ted Hawerlander show he flew 31 missions as Radio Operator with the 524th Squadron from April 13, 1944 to June 21, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 114, 115, 117, 122, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 136, 137, 139, 140, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, and 149. Sgt Hawerlander may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Sgt Hawerlander's crew on Mission 104, and what seems to be his "regular" crew, was as follows:

Lavery, Richard J, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Spratt, Warren E, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Strate, Harry E, 2nd Lt, Nav
Walsh, Robert R, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Hawerlander, Theodore S, SSgt, Radio Op
Millard, Alymer G, SSgt, Top Turret
Thompson Jr., Lester O, Sgt, Ball Turret
Kaminski, Joseph R, Sgt, Right Waist
Thorpe, Thomas G, Sgt, Left Waist
Black, George W, Sgt, Tail

Sorry, none of the listed crewmembers are on our current Association roster.

Responding 4 6/30/2005
Kent

Search No.  1275 - Albert Adakonis

From: Adakonis, Neil: Neil.Adakonis@ge.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: Information regarding my father

My name is Neil Adakonis and my father (Albert Adakonis) was in the 379th bomb group. I'm looking for any information you have regarding the missions he flew. I did purchase the anthology, but he is only mentioned briefly in one picture. Any information you have would be appreciated. Further, he is now 82 years old, living in Connecticut, and doing well, but his memory of the war days is a little hazy. Also, I do have a picture of him with his initial training group next to their plane that I could scan in and email if you're interested.

Neil -
Association records for Albert Adakonis show he flew 10 missions as Gunner and Togglier with the 525th Squadron from April 22, 1944 to July 17, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 100, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108, 152, 153, 162, and 167. Records indicate Sgt Adakonis flew missions 100 through 108 as waist gunner until May 1944, when crews generally eliminated one of the two waist gunner positions, in favor of a single crewman manning both guns. The later missions show him assigned as Togglier, which replaced the Bombardier position when bombing on the release by the lead Bombardier. Sgt Adakonis may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Sgt Adakonis' "regular" crew, for his early missions, was as follows:

Shumake, Lytle W, Cpt, Pilot
Smith, George W, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Redman, Ralph J, 2nd Lt, Nav
Carrillo, Lionel C, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Hom, Miles, SSgt, Radio Op
Meehan, Thomas C, SSgt, Top Turret
Edmondson, Lyle R, Sgt, Ball Turret
Adakonis, Albert E, Sgt, Right Waist
Lairmore, Jack R, Sgt, Left Waist
Lambert, Jack H, Sgt, Tail

Sorry, none of the listed crewmates of your Dad's are on our current Association roster. If you can e-mail the picture of your Dad with his training group, we would certainly like to add it to Association records.

Responding 4 6/21/2005
Kent

Search No.  1274 - Albert C Johnson

From: Nell Johnson, mnkj@friendlycity.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 12:15 PM
Subject: Info on Albert C. Johnson

I would appreciate any information re my late husband- He was Albert C. Johnson from Ga. He was in the 379th bomb group--524th squadon--- a bombardier on a B17---his plane was shot down in July 1943 and he was a POW in Germany til liberated in April or May 1945 @ Stalag Luft 111---in the South Compound. He never talked about his time in the service---Would like to know the name of his plane ----how many missions and he flew, and if any of his crew remember him. Thanks for any help.
Nell K. Johnson

Nell -
We're sorry to hear of your Husband's passing. We'll add his name to the Association's Taps Roster.

Association records for Albert C Johnson show he flew 7 missions as Bombardier with the 524th Squadron from June 11, 1943 to July 25, 1943. Our records indicate mission numbers 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, and 14. Lt. Johnson may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Mission 14, on 25 July 1943, was against the U-boat pens at Hamburg, Germany. Lt. Johnson was flying in a/c 42-3175, "The HA" (photo attached), and records indicate this aircraft was shot down. Crew on this mission was as follows:

Hildebrandt, Frank A, Lt, Pilot, POW
Rogers, Don N, F/O, Co-Pilot, POW
Baxter, Leonard D, Lt, Nav, POW
Johnson, Albert C, Lt, Bomb, POW
Blum, Perry T, SSgt, Radio Op, POW
Luhmann, Bruce B, TSgt, Top Turret, POW
Denezza, Patsy J, SSgt, Ball Turret, POW
Benecewicz, Marion E, SSgt, Right Waist, POW
Bullard, Joe A, TSgt, Left Waist, POW
Vaccaro, Anthony (NMI), Sgt, Tail, POW

Frank Hildebrandt and Pat Denezza are on our current Association roster.

Responding 4 6/20/2005
Kent

Search No. 1273 - John H Ahern

From: "Dennis Ahern" <ahern@world.std.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 9:14 PM
Subject: John Ahern of 379th

I am seeking information of Lt. John Ahern who piloted his bomber to a crash landing in the village of Bozeat after ordering his crew to bail out. I am unable to figure out how to do a search on your website. Do you know if there is any information there about this John Ahern?

Dennis J. Ahern

Dennis -
Association records for John H Ahern show he flew 3 missions as Pilot with the 526th Squadron from December 2, 1944 to December 9, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 246, 247, and 248. Lt. Ahern may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

On December 16, 1944, the 379th was to attack rail targets at Stuttgart, with other groups of the 1st Bomb Division and groups of the 3rd Bomb Division. Due to extremely poor weather conditions, the 1st Bomb Division abandoned the mission while still over England. During assembly for this abandoned mission, a/c 44-8275 crashed in the village of Bozeat. All crew members successfully bailed out - pilot John H Ahern was killed in the crash. Sorry, this is the only information we have in our records.

Responding 4 6/18/2005
Kent

Search No.  1272 - Harold N Sheaffer

From: marc marique, digger.mark@scarlet.be
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 12:53 AM
Subject: HAROLD N SHEAFFER

Hi
My name is MARC MARIQUE, I live in Belgium . Im member of the " 99th Infantry Division Association, MIA'S Project", search and discovery of all US soldiers missing ( Whe discovered 6 MIA in 2001 and 1 in 2003, all members of the 99th, 3 buried overseas in 2002 at the " Henri-Chapelle Cemetery Belgium", 3 in 2002 in USA ( 1 in " Arlington National Cemetery " and 1 in January 2005 in USA.

I have a tag stamped with the name of : HAROLD N SHEAFFER , asn: 0-739227 2/ Lt ,temporary buried NEUVILLE H 12 2?. These tag discovered during a build for a new house in a pasture along the cemetery of " Ardennes Military Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium "

I have the book " In the shadow of the forest " including rosters of 26694 dead american soldiers buried overseas in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Information for Sheaffer is : HAROLD N SHEAFFER, ASN: 0-739227, 2/Lt , buried " Ardennes Cemetery " grave D-2-7 , member of the 527 BS, 379 BG ( H ), killed 02/22/1944, medals AM/ 2 olc/ PH.
I search information for mission, crew and number MACR .
Thanks, Marc

Marc -
Association records for Harold N Sheaffer show he flew 14 missions as Navigator with the 527th Squadron from December 11, 1943 to February 22, 1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 47, 48, 52, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, and 71. Lt. Sheaffer may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Mission 71, on 22 February 1944, was against the aircraft factory at Halberstadt, Germany. Lt. Sheaffer was flying in a/c 42-29829, "Sons o' Satan", and records indicate this aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters. Crew on this mission was as follows:

Haston, Robert W, Lt, Pilot, POW
Clingman, Foy R, Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA
Sheaffer, Harold N, Lt, Nav, KIA
Burblis, Stanislaw (NMI), SSgt, Bomb, KIA
Fisher, Gordon D, TSgt, Radio Op, RTB
Raack, Kenneth E, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Spisak, Robert (NMI), TSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Gemmecke, Conrad J, SSgt, Right Waist, POW
Nixon, William G, SSgt, Left Waist, POW
Adrianson, Lester B, SSgt, Tail, RTB

Note "RTB" signifies this crewmember Returned to Base.

Sorry, none of the surviving crewmembers are on our current Association roster. MACR number may be 2870.

Responding 4 6/12/2005
Kent

Search No.  1271 - Lt. Martin A Kane- 379th Bomb Group/Heavy

From:  Nicki Haynes, haynesrrtx@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 12:34 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 379th Bomb Group/Heavy

Dear Sirs,

My name is Nicki Haynes, my cousin is Martin A. Kane. I am trying to seek any information possible on Martin; he died in France 6 weeks before I was born. Anything you can tell me about Martin would be wonderful; a picture (because I have never seen one) would be beyond words.

Below is the information I have:

Martin A. Kane was born Martin A. Krutsch in Detroit. After his parents had both passed away he, and his older sister Barbara, lived with a Mrs. Kane. Martin took the name Kane.

Martin enlisted in the United States Army on May 18, 1943 in Detroit, with service number 16112612, he remained an enlisted personnel until June 26, 1944. On June 27, 1944 Martin became an officer, with service number 0781590. Martin was a flyer (2nd Lieutenant) in World War II, dying in action on April 5, 1945. After war had been declared he and his buddy were flying on a routine flight; while flying low their plane was shot down. Prior to the flight on which Martin was killed, he was on another plane which he was to have left on, he did not, but rather let another Lieutenant leave because he was married. When Martin jumped from the plane his shoot did not open. Martin was killed instantly and is buried in France. The other Lieutenant, his buddy, went into a tree and lost both legs. For many years after the war was over Martin's buddy continued to visit the family.

At the time of Martin's death in France, during World War II he served with the 527th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, Heavy. Interment is at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, Plot C, Row 8, Grave 31. Decorations and awards Martin received were an Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, World War II Victory Medal and a Lapel Button.

Also, I would love to know that the family story of his death and that of his buddy's landing in a tree and family visits after the war is true. Would it be possible to tell me if Martin obtained schooling in order to receive his commission officer status or if he received a field commission becoming an officer because he knew how to fly. I do not know what his position was on the flight crew either.

Any help in obtaining further knowledge would sincerely be appreciated.
Thank you,
Nicki Haynes

Nicki,
I recently was going through my inbox when I noticed your email. I apologize for not answering your inquiry sooner. Lt Martin A Kane, Co-pilot, was in the 379th Bombardment Group and flew missions with the 527th Bomb Squadron from 2/24/05 to 4/04/45. Association records for Lt Kane shows he flew the following 19 missions:286, 287, 288, 290, 291, 293, 294, 296, 297, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 313, 314, 315, 316 & 317. It is possible that Lt. Kane may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

The following is the crew and their positions on their last mission to Ingolstadt, Germany 4/05/45

527th Sq. Ingolstadt, Germany April 5, 1945 mission # 317 aircraft 42-97128 (525 FR-R) (526 LF-M ) "Screwball Express". A/C took a direct hit by flak on # 3 engine. A/C severely damaged by flak and out of control. Pilot gave the order to bail out.

Hourtal Joseph G. -2nd Lt, P, WIA-RTMC
Kane Martin A. -2nd Lt, CP, Lorraine C 8 31
Roberson Edwards P. -2nd Lt, N, RTMC
Whitehead Carlos A. -S/SGT, NG, RTMC
Roberts John D. -S/SGT, RO, RTMC
Rowan Richard D. -T/SGT, TT, RTMC
Reaves Sam N. Jr. -S/SGT, BT, RTMC
Millar Donald S. -SGT, TG, RTMC

Returned to Military control ( RTMC), Wounded in Action (WIA), Lorraine is an American Cemetery in Europe.

Donald S Millar, John D. Roberts, Sam N Reaves Jr. and Catherine Hourtal (widow) are on the current 379th BG Association roster. Our records do not indicate any other crewmembers on the current Association membership roster.

Ken Cassens, bombardier, was on the first crew to fly on the Screwball Express when it arrived at Kimbolton England on March 23,1944, and is the author of the book "Screwball Express". It is a meaningful tribute to the 8th Air Force, the 379th Bomb Group and the crews that flew the Screwball Express. In Kens book there is a detailed account of the last mission of the Screwball Express on April 05, 1945. I have not found a crew picture, however there are five members of Lt Kane's crew pictured by the wreckage of the Screwball Express taken April 6,1945. (Screwball Express can be ordered through the PX; see PX tab on the Home page index.)

Responding4 6/12/2005
Mike


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