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LOOKING4

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. 1300 - "Miss Lace"

From: Mike, MikeMerkt@aol.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 7:37 AM
Subject: B-17 Miss Lace

Looking for any information and photos in regard to a B-17 "Miss Lace," 43-38092, MACR# 8845, shot down over Germany on Sept. 9th, 1944. 379th group, 527 sqdrn. In particular, looking for information of crewman Ellsworth F. Rillings.

THank you for your help......... Mike

Mike -
Association records confirm that a/c 43-38092, MACR 8845, was hit by flak and shot down over Mannheim, Germany on September 9, 1944. However, this aircraft was not "Miss Lace", which was a/c 44-6140. "Miss Lace" met her fate over Zeitz, Germany on November 30, 1944, losing her right wing in an explosion over the target, with tail gunner Eugene Bush the only survivor (POW).

Association records for Ellsworth Rillings show he flew 26 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from July 9 to September 9, 1944. Records indicate Missions 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 176, 178, 179, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188, 189, 192, 193, 196, 197, 198 and 200. Sgt. Rillings may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Crew on 43-38092 for Mission 200, and their fate, is as follows:

Butler, Edward G, 1st Lt, Pilot, KIA
Vietri, Anthony J, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA
O'keefe, Francis T, 2nd Lt, Nav, KIA
Yates, Carl C, 2nd Lt, Bomb, POW
Sweeney, John E, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Rillings, Ellsworth F, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Kunkle, Ellis A, SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Brown, Beryl J, SSgt, Waist, KIA
Michalski, John J, SSgt, Tail, POW

John Michalski 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. Sorry, we have no picture of this aircraft or crew.

Responding 4 10/20/2005
Kent

Search No. 1299 - Bruce Webb

From:"Jamie and Gwyn Ridenhour" <jamieandgwyn@btinet.net>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 7:27 PM
Subject: Bruce Webb

Dear Sirs,
I'm looking for information on my grandfather, Bruce Webb. He died when I was young, and apparently didn't like to talk about his experiences in the war. For a long time, all we knew was that he was a tailgunner who was stationed in England, and that he had won a Distinguished Flying Cross. Recently my brother found grandaddy's flight jacket in some old effects of my uncle's (who recently passed away). The jacket has the words "Ragin' Red" written on the back, and it's through searching for those words online that I've come to believe that he was a member of the 525th. That's the extent of what I know. I never really knew my grandfather, and would welcome any information you could provide.

thank you,
Jamieson Ridenhour

Jamie -
Association records for Bruce Webb show he flew 25 missions as gunner with the 525th Bomb Squadron from December 16, 1943 to March 16, 1944. Records indicate missions number 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, 62, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 79, 80, 81, and 82. Sgt. Webb may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

From our records, Sgt Webb flew missions in a number of aircraft, including a/c 42-30298, Squadron Code FR-M, "Ragin' Red II" (Missions 60, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 7273, 75, 76). Sorry, we have no photograph of this aircraft.

Crew on "Ragin Red II" for Mission 60, and what looks to be Sgt Webb's regular crew, is as follows:

Watson Jr., Edward R, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Guinn, Robert K, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Jackson, Durad Y, 2nd Lt, Nav
Ziobrowski, Anthony J, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Whittle, Patrick L, SSgt, Radio Op
Garrett, Maurice C, SSgt, Top Turret
Webb, Kenneth J, Sgt, Ball Turret
Webb, Bruce C, Sgt, Right Waist
Hunter, Earl D, Sgt, Left Waist
Mcdonough, John E, Sgt, Tail

Edward Watson and Earl D. Hunter 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 10/20/2005
Kent

Search No. 1298 - Kero Abrashoff

From: RANDY & TAWNYA, nwfc26@access995.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 7:53 PM
Subject: Kero Abrashoff

I am looking for information on my grandfather T/SGT Kero Abrashoff, his crew members, and B-17 numbers he flew on. He was in the 524 Squadron, of the 379th Bomb Group, and flew on 35 missions.
Thanks for your help,
Randall Abrashoff

Randall -
Association records for Kero Abrashoff show he flew 29 missions as top turret gunner with the 524th Bomb Squadron from November 2, 1944 to April 11, 1945. Records indicate missions number 230, 238, 240, 244, 248, 251, 252, 255, 256, 258, 260, 265, 266, 268, 269, 272, 274, 276, 280, 281, 292, 295, 297, 298, 299, 302, 303, 305, and 323. Sgt. Abrashoff may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

From our records, Sgt Abrashoff flew missions in the following aircraft: A/C 43-37851, Squadron Code WA-O, "Goo Goo" (Missions 230, 240, 244, 248, 251, 252, 255, 256, 258, 260, 265, 266, 268, 269, 272, 274, 276, 280, 292), A/C 43-38695, Squadron Code WA-Q (Mission 238), A/C 43-37950 (Mission 281), A/C 44-6561, Squadron Code WA-C, "Reich Raider" (mission 295), A/C 42-97370, Squadron Code WA-A, "The Hellion" (Missions 297, 298, 299), A/C 43-39113, Squadron Code WA-N (Missions 302, 303), A/C 44-6915, Squadron Code WA-M (Mission 305), and A/C 43-37570, Squadron Code WA-K, "Miss Liberty" (Mission 323). Crew on "Goo Goo" for Mission 230, and what looks to be Sgt Abrashoff's regular crew is as follows:

Simpkins Jr., Howard W, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Gjelvik, Edgar C, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Eppinger, Ira G, F/O, Nav
Parker, Raymond W, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Yeomans, Donald D, Sgt, Radio Op
Abrashoff, Kero, Sgt, Top Turret
Sterner, Guy S, Sgt, Ball Turret
Delong, Walter B, Sgt, Waist
Hill, Mack W, Sgt, Tail

Sorry, none of these crewmembers are on our current Association roster. No pictures are available of the aircraft listed except "Miss Liberty", a copy will be sent in separate e-mail. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 9/19/2005
Kent

Search No. 1297 - Raymond E. Mullenix

From: RON MULLENIX, ALEXED@CATSKILL.NET
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 2:31 PM

RAYMOND E. MULLENIX B/T GUNNER

THANK YOU RON MULLENIX ( SON )

Ron -
Association records for Raymond E. Mullenix show he flew 30 missions as ball turret gunner with the 524th Bomb Squadron from December 11, 1943 to May 24, 1944. Records indicate missions number 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 81, 82, 83, 87, 90, 99, 109, 111, 116, 120, and 124. Sgt. Mullenix may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Sgt. Mullenix flew in a number of different aircraft. On Mission 70 to the aircraft factory at Quakenbrucke/Bramsche, Germany, records show he flew in a/c 42-5828, Squadron Code WA-O, "The Sweater Girl" (photo will be sent in separate e-mail). Crew on that mission, and what seems to be Sgt. Mullenix's regular crew, was as follows:

Heath, Gilbert C, 1st Lt, Pilot
Zapotosky, Emerson G, F/O, Co-Pilot
Lepard Jr., James L, 1st Lt, Nav
Berman, Lester T, 1st Lt, Bomb
Cave, Martin B, TSgt, Radio Op
Hollister, John E, SSgt, Top Turret
Mullenix, Raymond E, Sgt, Ball Turret
Finance, Edwin G, SSgt, Right Waist
White, Charles L, SSgt, Left Waist
Carl, Joseph W, SSgt, Tail

Edwin Finance 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 10/9/2005
Kent

Search No. 1296 - Matthew J. Bauer

From: Cristina, thegwynns@hotmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2005 12:37 AM
Subject: Information on 2nd Lt. Bauer, Matthew J

I am looking for any information on my grandfather, 2nd Lt. Matthew J Bauer, who was part of the 379 Bomb Group on the PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA Co-Pilot on the B-17G-VE Serial # 42-39782 . He was a POW and I can find no one who seems to have known him, has a picture or anything.

I would love to hear more about his flights, etc... but don't even know where to begin. His records were part of the fire and so nothing else is available. Where would I find a list of missions, etc???

My thanks.
Cristina Bauer Gwynn

Cristina -
Association records for Matthew J. Bauer show he flew 3 missions as co-pilot with the 527th Bomb Squadron from February 4 to February 8, 1944. Records indicate missions number 64, 66, and 67. Lt. Bauer may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Association records for Mission 67 to Frankfurt, Germany show Lt. Bauer assigned to aircraft 42-39782, Squadron Code FO-M, "Pistol Packin' Mama". This aircraft was thought to have gone down to fighter attack shortly after crossing the enemy coast in the vicinity of Amiens. Crew of the aircraft was as follows:

Rossberg, Herbert D, 2nd Lt, Pilot, KIA
Bauer, Matthew J, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, POW
Kupsick, John A, 2nd Lt, Nav, Evader
Dougherty, James B, 2nd Lt, Bomb, KIA
Bennett, George F, SSgt, Radio Op, Evader
Atkinson, Charles E, SSgt, Top Turret, Evader
Dugan, Edward P, SSgt, Ball Turret, POW
Smotherman, Thurman P, Sgt, Right Waist, POW
Paplaskas, Albert F, SSgt, Left Waist, KIA
Brown Jr., Frederick H, Sgt, Tail, POW

Records indicate Lt. Bauer was taken POW, and assigned to Stalag Luft 1 in Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. John Kupsick, who was an "Evader" (evaded capture and returned to base) 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. Sorry, we have no picture of this crew, and no picture of the airplane suitable for reproduction, however there is a small picture showing the nose art in "Shades of Kimbolton", available through the 379th BGA PX.

Responding 4 10/9/2005
Kent

Search No.   1295 - Jasper Gallegos

From: JOHN NEWMAN, JFRED303@MSN.COM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 3:42 PM
Subject: Looking for Jasper Gallegos

I am looking for information on Staff Sergeant Jasper Gallegos 527th Squadron. He was KIA on the 2nd mission June 11, 1943. I have sent for the mission record. But, would appreciate any other information. Jasper and I enlisted together. we were sent to different groups I was assigned to the YB 40 Aircraft and went to the 92nd group and then to the 303 rd. I was on the mission that Jasper was shot down on June 11 in a YB 40. Any Crew Pictures? Any thing at all would be appreciated .

John F. Newman

John -
Association records for Jasper Gallegos show he flew 1 mission as tail gunner with the 527th Bomb Squadron on June 11, 1943. Association records for Mission 2 to the u-boat pens at Wilhelmshaven show Sgt. Gallegos assigned to aircraft 42-29875, Squadron Code FO-L (no name). Crew of this aircraft was as follows:

Hamrick Jr., George A , Cpt, Pilot, KIA
Gossen, Sam, Lt, Co-Pilot, POW
Herrick, Hal B, Lt, Nav, KIA
Kozel, Walter, Lt, Bomb, KIA
Zarro, Anthony J, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Fleck, William M, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Nichols, Lother, SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Mitchell, James A, SSgt, Right Waist, KIA
Crain, Warren R, SSgt, Left Waist, KIA
Gallegos, Jasper, SSgt, Tail, KIA

This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information. Sorry, we have no picture of this crew or airplane.

Responding 4 10/9/2005
Kent

Search No.  1294 - Emil Frantzen 

From:  David Kaczmarek, daczmar@us.ibm.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 9:56 AM
Subject: Information Related to M/Sgt: Emil M. Frantzen

Recently, I acquired the personal effects of M/Sgt. Emil M. Frantzen (37113667) and seek additional information about him as a person from folks who may have either known or served with Emil. As far as I can tell, Emil enlisted on February 14, 1942 and was discharged, at the AAF Separation Center, Sioux City, Iowa, on October 13, 1945. From his service record, it appears that Emil was an assistant crew chief for a flight of six B-17 bombers. Included within his personal possessions, I found a 379th Bomb Group Patch. Unfortunately, my current research has determined that Emil passed on November 18, 1949 and is interned at Saint Anthony's Cemetery, Hospers, Iowa. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thank You!
Dave

Dave -
Sorry, we have no record of M/Sgt Emil Frantzen serving with the 379th Bomb Group. Unfortunately, records on ground crew personnel are sketchy compared to flight personnel, whose missions are documented in official Mission Reports.

If you could provide us more information, dates he may have been at Kimbolton, Squadron, etc. Any additional information would be useful.

Responding 4 9/21/05
Kent

Search No.  1293 - Gerald E. Graf

From:  "Bill Graf (M)" <bgraf@1stchoicedental.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 8:09 AM
Subject: Gerald E Graf

I'am looking for any info I can get about my uncle Jerry Graf He was a pilot in the 527 squadron and flew a B-17 called Aces and Eights any information would be greatly appreciated as he just passed away on Sept 17 thank you Bill

Bill -
We're sorry to hear about your Uncle's passing. We will add his name to our Taps roster.

Association records for Gerald E. Graf show he flew 31 missions as co-pilot with the 527th Bomb Squadron from April 9, 1944 to June 24, 1944. Records indicate missions number 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 123, 125, 129, 130, 134, 135, 136, 140, 142, 144, 148, 149, 150, and 152. Lt. Graf may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Lt. Graf flew his missions in a number of different aircraft. On the May 25, 1944 mission (#125) to the railway yards at Sarrequemines, France, he was flying co-pilot in a/c 42-97270, "Red Dragon" (photo will be sent in separate e-mail). Crew in that a/c, and what looks to be Lt. Graf's "regular" crew, was as follows:

Mcgehee, Harold F, 1st Lt, Pilot
Graf, Gerald E, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Hoilman, Guy G, 2nd Lt, Nav
Mcdougle, Selma L, 2nd Lt, Bomb
Youk, John A, TSgt, Radio Op
Brown, Joseph J, TSgt, Top Turret
Shannon, James W, SSgt, Ball Turret
Young, Stanley R, SSgt, Waist
Welch, Lawrence L, SSgt, Tail

Sorry, none of the listed crew members 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. Sorry, we have no information on an aircraft named "Aces and Eights", and have no records of Lt. Graf flying in an aircraft by that name.

Responding 4 9/20/2005
Kent

Search No.  1292 - Lucien O. Gastineau

From: Robert Gastineau, robert-gastineau@sbcglobal.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:17 PM
Subject: info on 42-37784 379thbg 525sq

I am looking for any information on this aircraft, my uncle 2ndlt lucien o Gastineau was the co-pilot on this plane. I have very little info on him and the crew if anyone has pictures or knew this crew i would deeply appreciate any info the have. I do know the nose art was "the old fox" but it was later change to "oh my aching back"
Thanks a million Robert Gastineau.

Robert -
Association records for Lucien O. Gastineau show he flew 17 missions as co-pilot with the 525th Bomb Squadron from April 24, 1944 to May 24, 1944. Records indicate missions number 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, and 124. Lt. Gastineau may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Lt. Gastineau flew the majority of his missions in a/c 42-37784, Squadron Code FR-P, "The Old Fox" (photo attached). On May 24, 1944, Mission 124 to Berlin, "The Old Fox" is believed to have been involved in a mid-air collision with a/c 42-38082, after being attacked by fighters. Crew of "The Old Fox" was as follows:

Gease, Wilton E, 2nd Lt, Pilot, POW
Gastineau Jr., Lucien O, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA
Lorentz, Robert J, F/O, Nav, KIA
O'neal, Richard C, 2nd Lt, Bomb, KIA
Fenity, Edward L, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Egan, Roger W, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Amalfintano, John J, SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Chestnut, Robert F, SSgt, Waist, KIA
Fetterolf, Carl S, SSgt, Tail, KIA

There were no survivors from a/c 42-38082. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information. Sorry, we have no information on the aircraft's name being changed to "Oh my aching back".

Responding 4 9/20/2005
Kent

Search No.  1291 - Mission of 30 November 1944

From: Marcel, marcelenstipp@hotmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 11:43 AM
Subject: 379th questions

Hello,

I hope all is fine for the association and everybody are in a good health. I need you help about the 2 men missing in action the 30th november 1944 and who are on the listing of the Henri Chapelle's cemetery. Their names are 2nd Lt Zivanidis Theodore (527th sq. Gph ) from New-Jersey and S/Sgt Durham
Chester M. ( 527th sq. Gph ) from California.
I would like to know :

1- What was the type of aircraft ?
2- The registration of the aircraft ?
3- How many crew members on board ?
4- The mission ?
5- The home base where they took of ?
6- The area where the aircraft crashed ?
7- Have they been hit by flak , fighter ?
8- How many crew members have been killed , wounded , prisoners ?
9- Their names , functions , rank , serial numbers ?
10- And more informations and pictures if possible ?

My intentions are to provide these informations to the HC cemetery to complete their records and also for my personal research. Thank very much indeed by advance , i keep you in touch about the futur project of the 2nd Lt Kusy monument's.

God bless y

Marcel -
Association records for Mission 245 to the synthetic oil plant at Zietz, Germany.show a/c 44-6140 (B-17G), "Miss Lace" (527th Squadron Code FO-U) lost its right wing in an explosion over the target (flak?). A/C was last seen in a dive, and one parachute was reported. Crew on the airplane was as follows:

Schlesinger, Gilbert J, 1st Lt, Pilot, MIA
Mertens, Howard G, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, MIA
Zivanidis, Theodore, 2nd Lt, Nav, KIA
Durham, Chester M, SSgt, Togglier, KIA
Bowles Jr., Charles V, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Bonderski, Bernard, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Griffith, Shirley C, SSgt, Ball Turret, MIA
Schoch, Stewart W, SSgt, Waist, KIA
Bush, Eugene S, Sgt, Tail, POW

As you know, home base was Kimbolton, England. Sorry, we have no information on crash site, and no pictures of this aircraft. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members have any additional information.

Responding 4 9/19/2005
Kent

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