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From: Robert Turk,
rwturk@citlink.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 8:42 AM
Subject: B-17G 43-37851 WA-O
Sir:
I am
a member of this association and my grandfather,
William Coles, flew many missions on the Goo
Goo, 43-37851 WA-O, and I was wondering how many
missions this plane flew before being shot down,
how may enemy fighters it shot down, what its
nose-art looked like and is there a picture of
the plane out there? I would like to have a
model made of this aircraft and I want as much
accurate detail on it as possible. Thank you
very much.
Robert Turk
Robert -
Association
records for A/C 43-37851,
"Goo Goo" indicate she flew a
total of 9 missions with the
379th, flying with both the
524th Squadron (Code WA-O)
and the 525th (Code FR-O).
This aircraft took part in
the mission to Oranienburg,
Germany on April 10, 1945.
Association records indicate
she was hit by ME-262s at the
target, with the top of her
rudder shot off, last seen
going down under control.
Sorry, we have no photo
of this aircraft, or the
number of enemy fighters
credited. This response will
be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in
case any members have any
additional information.
Responding 4 1/10/2006
Kent
Search No. 1309 - Herman R. Smith
From: Renee' Brown (mailto:vee72622@webtv.net)
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sat 12/31/2005
Subject: Herman R. Smith
Sir, I am seeking
information on a Herman R. Smith. I do not have
the proper tools on the Internet to get into
your site to see if he was a member of this
Bomber Group during WW2 or not. Can you check
your rolls and let me know if he was a member of
this group during WW2? Any help would be
appreciated. I Thank You, Renee' Brown
Renee'
Sorry, we have searched our
association records and are unable to find any
record of Herman R Smith in the 379th BG. It is
possible that he flew with another BG or may
have been part of a ground support unit. If you
could find any documents that reflect what bomb
group or location he was stationed at that would
help in your quest to find additional
information.
Responding4
12/31/05
Mike
Search No. 1308 - William H. McNeill,
Jr.
From: Matt McNeill,
jubilee.emb@earthlink.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, December
16, 2005 12:47 PM
Subject: William H McNeill,
Jr
My grandfather was the togglier?? on
"Topper" during his stint in WWII. I have his
jacket with the artwork for "Topper" and all 35
bombs for the missions he flew. I also have a
picture of him with his crew before they left
for Kimbolton. I believe the picture was
actually taken stateside. There is a trainer in
the background so I am not sure. I am going to
try and get him to remember who they are and
send it to you. I was curious as to any
information you might have on him. I appreciate
anything you could provide me with. I am pretty
sure he was over there late 1944- early 1945.
Thanks in advance,
Matt McNeill
Matt -
Association records
for William H. McNeill, Jr.
show that he flew 33 missions
as gunner (sorry, our records
don't show duty in the
togglier position, but they
are not necessarily complete)
with the 524th Bomb Squadron
from September 25, 1944 to
January 17, 1945. Records
indicate missions number 208,
212, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221,
222, 223, 225, 226, 227, 229,
230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 239,
240, 241, 244, 249, 252, 255,
256, 258, 259, 262, 263, 265,
266, and 267. Sgt. McNeill
may have flown additional
missions, but these are the
ones we have in our records.
As you indicate, Sgt.
McNeill flew a number of
missions on a/c 42-40003, "Ol
Gappy/Topper" (photo
attached), including Mission
232 to Frankfurt on November
5, 1944. Crew on that
mission, and what looks like
Sgt. McNeill's regular crew,
was as follows:
Chute,
James H, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Butler, Marvin L, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot
Faro, Ellis P,
2nd Lt, Nav
Ellis, Sydney
C, F/O, Bomb
Mcmahan, John
W, SSgt, Radio Op
Bruner,
Jack A, TSgt, Top Turret
Miller, Joe E, SSgt, Ball
Turret
McNeill Jr.,
William H, SSgt, Waist
Lhota, Lawrence T, SSgt, Tail
Ellis Faro 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 12/22/2005
Kent
Search No. 1307 - Lester R. Hanes
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From: Steve Hanes,
sghanes@nscorp.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 11:06 PM
Subject: crewmember identification - Rubble
Rouser
Sir:
I have been searching
for information about my father, who passed away
in September 1959, when I was just 12 years of
age.
I am a member of the 8th Air Force
Historical Society, and coincidentally was just
at the museum in Savannah last week. You can
imagine my surprise when I clicked on your site
tonight and discovered my father in the very
first photo I came to. In your posted photograph
entitled, "Rubble Rouser", the 1st Lieutenant
standing second from the left is my father,
Lester R. Hanes, service number O 706856.
I would appreciate information on how I
could get copies of photographs, mission reports
and other documentation about my father's
association with the 324 Squadron, 379 Group. I
would especially like to communicate with anyone
who knew him. I believe he went by the name
"Skip" during his service years.
I know
he flew several missions as lead bombardier with
Arvid Dahl. Please see the attached document I
have assembled. Any information you could
provide would be appreciated. I would like to
join your association and attend the 2006
reunion, if possible.
Sincerely yours,
Steven G. Hanes
Steven -
Association records for Lester R. Hanes show
that he flew 26 missions as Bombardier with the
524th Bomb Squadron from June 28, 1944 to
February 16, 1945. Records indicate missions
number 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 178, 185,
186, 195, 196, 200, 208, 210, 217, 221, 225,
230, 232, 238, 248, 251, 255, 262, 278, and 280.
Lt. Hanes may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we have in our records.
According to Association records, Lt. Hanes
1st mission, Mission 156 to Juvincourt, France
on June 28, 1944, was flown in a/c 42-107213,
Squadron Code WA-F, "Rubble Rouser". Crew was as
follows:
Roderick, Walter H, 1st Lt,
Pilot
Vandenburg, Richard H, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Heath, Fred W, 2nd Lt, Nav
Hanes, Lester R,
2nd Lt, Bomb
Anderson, James E, SSgt, Radio
Op
Paff, Harold S, SSgt, Top Turret
Schmidt, Edwin P, Cpl, Ball Turret
Gritski,
Walter, Pvt, Waist
Bold, George W, Sgt, Tail
As you indicate, Lt. Hanes also flew
missions with Arvid Dahl. He and Walter Roderick
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. We're happy to make
a connection with the photo on the website. This
feature was only started recently to try to
identify some of the crews for which we have
pictures but no name identifications. A better
copy of that photo is attached.
Responding 4 12/6/2005
Kent
Search No. 1306 - Glenn E Camp Jr.
From: Cherrie,
tomncherrie65@iglide.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, December
02, 2005 10:03 PM
Subject: info and/or crew
photos
I am looking for any information
and a crew photo of my dad and his crew. My
dad's name was Lt. Glenn E. Camp Jr. He was a
member of the 379th BG, 527 BS. His plane was
named "Judy", it's serial number was 42-29963.
They took off from Kimbolton Dec. 30, 1943,
target was Ludwigshaven, shot down by ME 109,
parts of the tail shot off, the no. 1 engine was
out but could not be feathered and tere were
also problems with no. 2. Crashed 2 1/2 miles of
St. Relnac at 1259 hours. I believe my dad and
his crew were a replacement crew for the "Judy."
They arrived in England around November 1, 1943.
I would like to find a crew photo and would like
to know if any of the surviving crew members are
still alive, and if so would like to find
current addresses for them. If you can help me I
would appreciate it so very much.
The
surviving crew members were:
2Lt. Glenn E.
Camp - 0802105
2Lt. Jarvis H. Cooper -
0687814
2Lt Edward Donaldson - 0682084
S/Sgt. Milton J. Mills Jr. - 35649131
Sgt.
Neelan B. Parker - 18226609
Sgt. Douglas J.
Farr - 33126276
Thank you for your help. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Cherrie Warren
Cherrie -
Association records for Glenn E
Camp Jr. show that he flew 3 missions as pilot
with the 527th Bomb Squadron from December 20 to
December 30, 1943. Records indicate missions
number 50, 52, and 53. Lt. Camp may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On Mission 53 to
Ludwigshafen, Germany on December 30, 1943, our
records indicate Lt Camp flying in a/c 42-29963,
Squadron Code FO-I, "Judy". Crew was as follows:
Camp Jr, Glenn E, 2nd Lt, Pilot, POW
Fitzgerald, Joseph F, F/O, Co-Pilot, KIA
Cooper, Jarvis W, 2nd Lt, Nav, POW
Donaldson,
Edward J, 2nd Lt, Bomb, Evaded
Mills, jr,
Milton J, SSgt, Radio Op, Evaded
Gierach,
Richard R, SSgt, Top Turret, KIA
Pierce,
Marcus G, Sgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Farr, Douglas
J, Sgt, Right Waist, Evaded
Parker, Neelan B,
Sgt, Left Waist, Evaded
Cross, Robert E,
SSgt, Tail, KIA
Sorry, none of the
survivors of this crew 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 known photographs
of the crew, or of a/c 42-29963, which our
records indicate your Father flew on Missions 50
and 53. A photo of the aircraft your Father flew
on Mission 52, a/c 42-37784, "The Old Fox", will
be sent in separate e-mail.
Responding 4
12/6/2005
Kent
Search No. 1305 - Maximilian Hadley
From: Clifford
Thomas, afulltymefreak@aol.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, December
02, 2005 1:18 PM
Subject: MAX HADLEY
THAT IS MY GRANDFATHER SITTING ON THE TOP ON THE
ANITA MARIE in photo 5007 THE VERY TOP DO YOU
HAVE ANYMORE INFOR ON HIM? OR IS ANY OF HIS CREW
STILL ALIVE?
THANK YOU.
Clifford Thomas
Clifford -
Association records for Maximilian Hadley show
he flew 25 missions as pilot with the 525th Bomb
Squadron from November 26, 1943 to March 26,
1944. Records indicate missions number 43, 44,
45, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 60, 62, 63, 64,
66, 70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, and 89.
Lt. Hadley may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt. Hadley's 1st mission was the 379th
Bombardment Group's Mission 43 to Bremen,
Germany. Crew of his aircraft was as follows:
Hadley, Maximilian J, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Zieglar, John C, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Holmstrup,
Roy E, 2nd Lt, Nav
Marquardt Jr., William C,
2nd Lt, Bomb
Hardy, William C, Sgt, Radio Op
Harrison, John R, SSgt, Top Turret
Ramsey,
Carl P, Sgt, Ball Turret
Hallowell, Sherman
W, Sgt, Right Waist
Palmer, Dean D, SSgt,
Left Waist
Grinstead, J B, SSgt, Tail
Sorry, none of these crewmembers 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 12/5/2005
Kent
Search No. 1304 - Lt Matthew A Zack
From: "Peter O.
Johnson" <petero@metrocast.net>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Wednesday,
November 23, 2005 10:39 AM
Subject: Lt
Matthew A Zack
Hello,
I'm looking
for further information about my uncle, 1Lt
Matthew A Zack, O-798067. He and his crew were
KIA on 14 Oct 43, MACR 955. From prior research,
with much help from Becky Custer, I found he
flew only three missions, numbers 36, 37 and 38,
and I have purchased those Mission Reports. I
have also received his Individual Deceased
Personnel File.
Unfortunately, I have
been unable to find any records of his service
prior to the three missions. His records were
among those destroyed in the infamous fire at
the National Personnel Records Center in the
early 1970s. Does the Association have any other
records on Lt Zack?
In his three
missions, Lt Zack flew three different B-17Fs:
Anklam 9 Oct 43 42-5379 codes FO-W
Munster 10 Oct 43 42-5816 "Polly". codes FO-Q
Schweinfurt 14 Oct 43 42-3056 codes FO-R
Are there photographs of any of these aircraft?
Neither Shades of Kimbolton nor the 379th BGA
Anthology has a photo.
Finally, is there
a crew photograph for Lt Zack's crew? I realize
it's a long shot, having been there so briefly,
but it's worth asking.
Thanks in advance
for any assistance you can provide.
Peter
Johnson
Peter -
Association records for Matthew A Zack confirm
that he flew 3 missions as pilot with the 524th
Bomb Squadron from October 9 to October 14,
1943. Records indicate missions number 36, 37,
and 38. Lt. Zack may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we have in our
records. On Mission 38 to Schweinfurt on October
14, 1943, our records confirm Lt Zack flying in
a/c 42-3056, Squadron Code FO-R. Crew was as
follows:
Zack, Mathew A, 2nd Lt, Pilot,
KIA
Minder, Fritz G, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA
Leman, George C, 2nd Lt, Nav, KIA
Vournakis,
John P, 2nd Lt, Bomb, KIA
Ouellet, Joyce L,
TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Hekiman, Berge O, TSgt,
Top Turret, KIA
Kiddle, Edwin H, TSgt, Ball
Turret, KIA
Segraves, Clinton L, SSgt, Right
Waist, KIA
Boskovic, George T, SSgt, Left
Waist, KIA
Turner, Harry, 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 known photographs of the crew, or the
airplanes you've listed for the other 2
missions. Also, the Association has no
information on Lt. Zack's service prior to
assignment to the 379th.
Responding 4
12/5/2005
Kent
Search No. 1303 - Derwin O.
Blankenship
From: "David
Blankenship" <davidblank@cox-internet.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Tuesday,
November 08, 2005 5:30 PM
Subject: Air Crew
Member
Sir, Just sent you a photo of my
fathers crew. Don't know the plane or the
mission. They were shot down and I think all
survived. I know my father did. do you have any
copies of the Mission Report or crach details?
Thanks,
David Blankenship
David -
Thank you for the crew picture. We
will add it to our Association records. If you
can provide identification of any of the other
crewmen in the picture, it may help us to
provide better responses to future inquiries. It
will also be attached to this Looking 4 response
on the website.
Association records for
Derwin O. Blankenship show he flew 17 missions
as tail gunner with the 525th Bomb Squadron from
March 3 to April 10, 1945. Records indicate
missions number 293, 295, 297, 299, 300, 302,
304, 307, 311, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319,
321, and 322. Sgt. Blankenship may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On Mission 322 to
Oranienburg, Germany on April 10, 1945, our
records show Sgt. Blankenship flying in a/c
43-37851, Squadron Code FR-O, "Goo Goo". This
a/c was attacked by ME-262s over the target, and
is believed to have had the top of its rudder
shot off. The a/c was seen straggling behind the
formation and was seen going down under control.
Crew was as follows:
Mcfadden, Henry J,
2nd Lt, Pilot, POW
Kattengell, Auburn S, 2nd
Lt, Co-Pilot, Evaded
Curtis, Russell W, 2nd
Lt, Nav, POW-Escaped
Hamilton, Paul T, Sgt,
Togglier, POW
Ware, Donald D, SSgt, Radio Op,
Evaded
Ellard, Howell D, TSgt, Top Turret,
Evaded
Fisher, Ernest S, Sgt, Ball Turret,
POW
Sommer, Robert F, SSgt, Waist, POW
Blankenship, Derwin O, Sgt, Tail, POW
Russell Curtis, Donald Ware, Howell (Jim) Ellard
and Robert Sommer 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 additional details on the crash, but
the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) may provide
additional details.
Responding 4
11/17/2005
Kent
Search No. 1302 - Donald R. Lesage
From: shadow0611@comcast.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, November
04, 2005 7:12 AM
Subject: Info Request
Hi
My dad, Donald R. Lesage, passed
away this July. His discharge document indicates
he was a SSGT assigned to 524th Squadron as a
gunner from April thru August of 44 and awarded
the DFC.
Any further info you can provide
would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Thank You
Ron Lesage
Ron -
We're sorry to hear of your Father's
passing. We will add his name to our Taps
roster.
Association records for Donald R.
Lesage show he flew 32 missions as gunner with
the 524th Bomb Squadron from May 23 to July 13,
1944. Records indicate missions number 123, 124,
125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 134, 135,
136, 137, 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148,
149, 150, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161,
163, 164, and 165. Sgt. Lesage may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Sgt Lesage flew in a
number of different aircraft, including (for
Mission 141) a/c 42-40003, "Ol Gappy/Topper"
(photo will be sent in separate e-mail). This
aircraft had the most missions of all B-17s in
the Eighth Air Force, ultimately credited with
157 before war's end. Also, Your Father's crew
was much more consistent than most, flying
essentially all of their missions together, from
first to last. Crew was as follows:
Day,
Donald L, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Vickery, Ralph L, 2nd
Lt, Co-Pilot
Suloway, Marshall (NMI), 2nd Lt,
Nav
Edwards, Hoyt (NMI), 2nd Lt, Bomb
Mcintyre, Blaine E, TSgt, Radio Op
Yates,
Paul A, TSgt, Top Turret
Mccabe, Stephen J,
SSgt, Ball Turret
Lesage, Donald R, SSgt,
Waist
Whitehead, Allen M, SSgt, Tail
Marshall Suloway 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 11/4/2005
Kent
Search No. 1301 - Rossberg Crew
From: "Dennis Burke" <dp_burke@yahoo.com>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Wednesday,
October 19, 2005 3:03 PM
Subject: Rossberg
Crew MACR 2880
Hello there,
message from Ireland: Only today I happened to
see a file in the Irish Military Archives which
dealth with a B-17 aircraft which was forced to
make an emergency landing at what is now Shannon
Airport in Ireland on 18th Dec. 1943. They were
on their delivery flight from the US. The crew
is as listed below, I noted that a Rossberg and
Bauer were lost with a B-17 of the 379th on 8th
Feb. 1944. (Ref. MACR 2880) let me know. Theres
not much additonal I can tell you other than
this occured on 18th Dec 1943.
How many
of the gentlemen below went on to serve in the
379th. I'd be very greatful to learn.
with regards
Dennis Burke
Dublin Ireland
O-804509 2nd/Lt Herbert Rossberg.
O-688731 2nd/Lt. Matthew J Bauer
O-746577
2nd/Lt. Virgil Girth or Berth or Lerth ???
O-685654 2nd/Lt. John A Kupsick
15084516
S/Sgt. Charles Atkinson
11087519 S/Sgt.
Albert Paplaskas
15339963 S/Sgt. George
Bennett
15338131 Sgt. John Chidder
37417414 Sgt. Therman Smotherman
31084894
Sgt. Frederick Brown
Dennis -
Thank you for your information
and your research. All the men listed went on to
serve in the 379th. Virgil J. Gerth flew no
missions with Lt. Rossberg. He was taken POW on
Mission 117 on 13 May 1944. John S. Chidder flew
2 missions with other crews.
Association
records for Mission 67 (8 February 1944) to
Frankfurt, Germany show most of this crew
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
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.
Responding 4 10/31/2005
Kent
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